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MEMOIRS 

OF THE 

MARCHIONESS 

DE LAROCHE JAQUELEIN= 

WITH A MAP 

0¥ THE 

THEATRE OF WJIR IJ\* LA VEJ^DEE. 



TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH, 



PHILADELPHIA: 

PUBLISHED BY M. CAREY, 

AND FOR SALE BY WELLS AND LILLY, BOSTON. 

1816. 



-^^ 



PKKFACE OF THE TRANSLATOR. 



The Translator of these Memoirs, captivated by 
the simple and natural pictures of manners, principles^ 
virtues, and feelin,^s, which might be deemed obsolete in 
modern Europe, delineated in a style inartificial to a 
fault, thought his task a very easy one. Yet he soon 
perceived that these turns of expression, which had so 
much ease and force in the original, appeared slovenly, 
inaccurate^ and obscure,*when translated, and that the 
eloquence of nature was not easier imitated than the elo- 
tjuence of art. He did not, however, attempt any other 
eloquence than that of Madame de Larochejaquelein, and 
was satisfied with being as literal as possible. 

In this age of metaphysical politics, when abstract 
questions, instead of real interests, excite the passions, 
and govern the conduct of men, the mind dwells with pe- 
culiar satisfaction on plain matter of fact, and natural 
feelings. Madame de Larochejaquelein relates deeds of 
heroic valour and magnanimity, of diabolical wickedness, 
and virtue almost divine, in an even tone of unconscious 
simplicity. Ludicrous instances of womanly weakness, 
as well as admirable ones of womanly devotedness and 
constancy, are given with the same ingenuous candour^ 
and every liberal allowance made in favour of people of 
* different party, without a word of political controversy 



c-^all this from a woman of rank; who had lost so much 
by the Revolution ! 

Two reflections present themselves naturally in read- 
ing these Memoirs : The country of which La Vendee 
forms a part, and the court in which Madame la Marquis© 
de Larochejaquelein was educated, could not be so cor- 
rupt as we have been taught to believe 5 and the friends 
of the French Revolution must admit it to have been no 
favourable sign, that the most virtuous part of the nation* 
peasants as well as nobles, should have been so decidedly 
averse to its principles. 

Edinburgh, ^pril 1816. 



TO MY CHILDREN. 



It is for you, my clear ChUdren, that I have had 
the resolution to finish these Memoirs, begun h)ng before 
your birth, and many times abandoned. I feel a mourn- 
ful pleasure in recounting to you the glorious history of 
the life and death of your parents and friends. Other 
books may acquaint you with the principal actions by 
which they were dLstinguislu^d ; but 1 have thoi ght that 
a simple recital, written by your mother, would inspire 
you with a more filial and tenriv-r sentiment for their il- 
lustrious memory. I regarded it also as a duty, to ren- 
der homage to their brave companions in arms. But 
how many traits have escaped me! I had no notes. What 
remained on my memory of the deep impression receiv- 
ed at the time, has been my only resource. Far from 
being able to write the complete history of La Vendee, 
I have not even related all that passed during the times 
I witnessed. I have to regret the omission of many in- 
teresting facts, and many names worthy of being record- 
ed ; but I felt both unable and unwilling to relate any 
thing beyond my immediate recollections, and did not 
pretend to write a history of the Civil War. I fervently 
hope that other pens, better qualified than mine, will un= 
dertake the melancholy task. 

I availed myself of an opportunity I had of submitting 
these memoirs to persons in our army, in whose accura- 



ey I could confide, and by their means corrected some 
errors. M. Prosper de Barante undertook the revisa! 
and correction of the whole, but without any attemjjt to 
improve the extreme plainness of the style, which, per- 
haps, accords best with the simple truth. The descrip- 
tion of the country in the Third Chapter is entirely 
Lis. 

DONNISSAN DE IiAK,OCHSJA(iUEI.EJ]V. 

Jus-nsti, 1811, 



MEMOmS 



OF THE 



MARCHIONESS DE LAROCHEJAQUELEIN. 



CHAPTER I. 



Mij Birth. — Coalitio7i of Poitoii. — My Marnas;e. 
— Order to remain at Paris. — Period ivhicli. 
jjreceded the lOth of,lugust 179^. 

I WAS bom at Versailles tlie 25ih of October 
177s? only daughter of the Marquis de Donnissan, 
gentilhomme d'hoiineur of Monsieur (now Louis 
XVIII.) My mother, daughter of the Due de 
Civrac, was (dame d'atours) lady in waiting of 
Madame Victoire. The goodness, I had almost 
said friendship, of this Princess, rendered her the 
protector of all our family, and I had the honour of 
being her god -daughter, and that of the King. 

I was educated in the Palace of Versailles, till 
the 6th of October 1789? at which epoch I set out 
in the carriage of the Princesses, who followed in 
the train of the unfortunate Louis XVL, then 
dragged to Paris. They obtained permission to 
stop at Bellevnc, under the guard of the Parisian 
troops. 

B 



10 

The first misfortunes of tlie Revolution affected 
my mother extremely. She anticipated the most 
horrible consequences, and begged Madame Vic- 
toire to permit her to pass some time on her estate 
in Medoc. My father obtained the permission of 
Monsieur, and we set out the end of October. I 
had been destined in infancy to be the wife of M. 
le Marquis de Lescure, born in October I766. He 
was son of a sister of my mother's, who died in 
childbed. His father dying in the year 1784, left 
him 800,000 francs of debt, which broke off our 
marriage. The greatest part of the fortune wais 
then in the hands of the Countess de Lescure, his 
grandmother. Although advised by lawyers to 
renounce the succession of his father, he had the 
delicacy, as well as the Countess de Lescure, to 
become answerable for the whole ; and they prac- 
tised such strict economy, that, at the age of twen- 
ty-four, M. de Lescure had only S00,000 francs of 
debt, and the certainty of an income of 80,000 
francs. My parents now consented to an union 
which had been equally desired by us all. M. dc 
Lescure had entered the military school at thirteen 
years of age, and left it at seventeen. Among tlie- 
young people of his own age, none were better in- 
formed, more virtuous in every respect, more per- 
fect in short ; he was at the same time so modest, 
that he seemed ashamed of his own merit, and his 
endeavour was to conceal it. He was timid and 
awkward, and although of a good height and figure, 
his manners and unfashionable dress might not be 
prepossessing at first. He was born with strong 



11 

passions, yet, notwithstanding the general example, 
and particularly that of his father, whose habits 
were irregular, he conducted himself with the most 
perfect correctness. His great piety preserved him 
from the contagion, and insulated him in the midst 
of the court and of the world. He took the sacra- 
ment every fortnight. The constant habit of resist- 
ing his inclinations and all external seductions, had 
rendered him rather unsocial and reserved ; his 
opinions were strongly fixed in his mind, and some- 
times he shewed himself pertinaciously attached to 
them. Meanwhile, he had the most perfect gentle- 
ness, and being entirely free from anger or even 
impatience, his temper was always equal, and his 
calmness unalterable. He passed his time in stu- 
dy and meditation, from taste and not from vanity, 
for he only wished to enjoy wliat he knew ; of 
which I shall mention an example. One day at 
the Duchess de Civrac's, our grandmother, he had, 
according to his custom, taken a book, instead of 
joining in the conversation. My grandraotlier re- 
proached him with it, adding, '^ that since the book 
was so interesting, he ought* to read it aloud." He 
obeyed — at the end of half an hour some one look- 
ing over him, exclaimed, ^^ Ah^ it is l£iiglish/ 
Why did not you say so f'^ He answered, with 
a disconcerted look, — My good grandmother not 
understanding English, it was necessary that I 
should read in French. His father, although a 
good-natured man, was unhappily addicted to dis- 
sipation and play. He had for a companion in his 
irregularities the governor of his son^ but that son 



12 

was so remarkably rational and gentle, that tliey 
often confessed their faults to liim, seeking advice 
and consolation. Notwithstanding this unnatural 
situation, he always preserved towards his father a. 
respectful attachment. 

M. de Lescure came to the house of my parents 
in the month of June 1791. He then belonged to 
a very important confederacy, that had been form- 
ed in Poifcou; and could command 30,000 men. 
Almost all the gentlemen of the country had en- 
gaged in it, and they thought they might depend 
upon a great part of tiie inhabitants of the province. 
The event proved them in the right. They had 
gained two regiments, with one of which they 
formed the garrison of Rochelle, and the other 
was at Poitiers. On a given day they were to 
pretend orders from the government ; the regiments 
were to unite ; and, in concert with all the gentle- 
men, they were to operate a junction with another 
confederacy forming towards Lyons, and wait for 
the Princes, then in Savoy. The flight of the 
King, and his subsequent arrest, disconcerted all 
these projects. M. de Lescure, learning the de- 
parture of his Majesty, left us to go where his 
duty called him, but returned a few days after, be- 
cause the 7ioblesse of Poitou, perceiving that the 
purpose of their confederacy had failed, resolved to 
emigrate as otliers had done ; although, far from 
being persecuted on their estates, many of them 
commanded the local national guard, and every 
day the peasants came to ask permission to arm 
themselves against the republicans. The Princes 



13 

knew the state of things, and did not imagine that 
the Poitevins would emigrate ; but the young peo- 
ple were determined to follow the torrent. It was 
in vain represented to them that they ought to re- 
main where they might be useful, and that, having 
the happiness to belong to a faithful province, they 
ought not to leave it. Listening to nothing, they 
would not even wait the return of Iavo persons who 
had been sent to receive the definitive orders of the 
Princes. Thus the whole confederacy of Poitou 
was dissolved. They emigrated in crowds, and 
those who were of a different opinion, found them- 
selves obliged to imitate the rest. M. de Lescure 
,set out from Gascogne, with the Count de Lorges, 
our cousin-german. They encountered risks in 
going out of France, were obliged to take guides 
among the smugglers on the frontiers, and to travel 
on foot by circuitous roads. 

M. de Lescure, the day of his arrival at Tour- 
nay, learned that his grandmother had had an at- 
tack of apoplexy, and was near expiring. He 
asked permission from the cliiefs of the emigrants 
to return to Poitou, which being granted, he re- 
turned to Madame de Lescure ; and, seeing there 
w as still some hope of her life being prolonged, he 
thought of rejoining the emigrants ; but wished to 
see me first, and to pass a day with us. My mother 
liad consulted, respecting M. de Lescure's intended 
emigration, M. le Count de Mercy Argentau, for- 
mer ambassador from Austria in France, her friend. 
He was in the confidence of Prince Kaunitz, and 
knew better than any other person the disposition 



14 

of the cabinet of Vienna. He said they were not 
ready for war;— that the different governments 
would not begin^ unless they should be forced to 
the measure ;— and that M. de Lescure might very 
well pass the winter in France. But he had al- 
ready set out when this answer arrived. 

Madame de Chastellux, my aunt, who had 
followed the Princesses to Rome, had sent from 
the Pope the dispensation necessary for my mar- 
riage. It intimated that it could not be celebrated 
but by a priest who had refused the new oath, or 
who had retracted it. This was, I believe, the 
first time the Pope had declared his opinion upon 
the subject. Many priests in the neighbourhood, 
on hearing it, retracted the oath they had taken. 
There was found also, by great chance, a priest in 
our parish who had not been sworn, L*' Abbe Q,uey- 
riaux. The new constitutional bishop had at first 
appointed another curate ; but he was a German, 
who, not being able to make himself understood by 
the peasants of Medoc, withdrew. The parish, 
Unding themselves without a curate, demanded 
another of the bishop. As he was but an unbe- 
liever, and attached no importance to the diversities 
of religious opinions, he told the inhabitants to en- 
gage their old curate to return provisionally to his 
parish. He was there often insulted by worthless 
people 5 but he supported his situation with piety 
and courage. 

All these circumstances, and, still more, the mu- 
fual sentiments of M. de Lescure and myself, de- 
termined my mother to conclude my marriage. 



id 

M. de Lesciire learned, upon his arrival, tliat 
oar banns were published ; he saw M. de Mercy's 
letter, and remained with us. Three days after, 
on the S7th of October, we were married. I was 
then nineteen, M. de Lescure twenty-five. He 
heard, three weeks after, that his grandmother had 
another attack, and we went both to visit her. She 
passed two months between life and death, in con- 
tinual vomitings, frequent attacks of apoplexy, and 
with an open cancer. She articulated with difficul- 
ty a few words to pray to God, and to thank us for 
the care we took of her. JSTever did any one die 
with a resignation so angelic. Her titles could no 
longer be engraven upon her tomb ; but the peasants 
inscribed upon it, " Here lies the mother of the 
poor ;'' — a truly glorious epitaph. M. de Lescure 
regretted her extremely. Eleven years before her 
death, she had made a will, such as her situation 
then admitted of. It was burdened with a great 
number of legacies. Had she been able to reflect 
on the debts her grandson had to pay, and the ef- 
fects of the Revolution upon his fortune, she would 
certainly have changed her intentions. The will 
wanted some necessary formalities, and was, there - 
fore, not binding. But M. de Lescure scrupulous- 
ly conformed to it. He even wished that the do- 
mestics, who had since that time deserved reward, 
but who were not mentioned in the will, should not 
imagine themselves forgotten ; and he gave all of 
them donations in the name of his grandmother, as 
if they had been left by her. 



16 

111 tlie montli of February 1793, we took the re- 
solution of emigrating. M. Bernard de Marigny 
accompanied us. He was the relation and friend 
of M. de Lescure, a naval officer, and Chevalier 
de St. Louis, and had distinguished himself in his 
profession. He was extremely handsome, tall, and 
possessed great bodily strength ; was gay, spirited, 
loyal, and brave. Never have I seen any person so 
obliging j ever ready to do what was agreeable to 
others ; and to such a degree, that I remember, 
as he had some knowledge of the veterinary art, 
all the peasants of the canton were in the habit of 
coming to ask his advice when they had sick cattle. 
He was extremely lively, and, when excited, his 
spirits became almost immoderate. As his name 
will have to appear frequently in these memoirs, I 
thought it necessary to make him known. He was 
then forty-two years of age. 

We arrived at Paris. The disrepair of our car- 
riage detained us there a considerable time. I 
could not be presented to the King, as, since his 
Majesty had come to Paris, all presentations had 
been suspended. I went to the Tuilleries, to the 
house of Madame la Princesse de Lamballe. She 
was the most intimate friend of my mother, and 
she received me as if I had been her daughter. — 
The next day, M. de Lescure went to the Tuille- 
ries. The queen condescended to say to him, ^'^ I 
knoAV you have brought Victorine : There is no 
court now ; but I wish to see her notwithstanding. 
Let Iter come to-morrow at noon to the Princesse 



17 

(le Lamballe's." M. de Lescure gave me this flat- 
tering order, and I went to the Princess. Tlie 
Queen embraced me, and we all withdrew into a 
closet ; and, after some words full of goodness, her 
Majesty said to me, " And you, Victorine, what do 
you intend to do ? I suspect you are come here 
for the purpose of emigrating." I replied it was 
the intention of M. de Lescure ; but that he w ould 
remain at Paris if he thought he could be useful to 
her Majesty. The Queen reflected for some time, 
and said to me, in a very serious tone, ^» He is a 
good subject; he has no ambition, let him remain.*' 
T replied to the Queen, that her orders were laws ! 
She spoke to me afterwards of her children. ^'^ It 
is a long time since you have seen them ; come to- 
morrow at six to the house of Madame de Tourzel, 
and I will bring my daughter there." She at that 
time found consolation in superintending the edu- 
cation of Madame Royale, and Madame de Tour- 
zel had the charge only of M. le Daupliin. 

After the departure of the Queen, Madame la 
Princesse de Lamballe expressed to me how much 
slie rejoiced in the reception I had met with. I 
said I felt the full value of it, and that M. de Les- 
cure would certainly remain. She recommended 
the greatest secrecy upon v*iiat had passed. 

The next day I went to Madame de TourzePs. 
The Queen entered with Madame Royale. She 
came to me, and said, in a low voice, warmly 
pressing my hand, " Victorine, I hope you stay 
with us." I answered, " Yes." She again 
pressed my hand. She then went to converse with 

V 



18 

Mesdames de Lamballe and de Tourzel, and, 
raising lier voice in the course of the conversation, 
said, '^ Victorine remains with us/' After that, 
M. de Lescure went every day to the Tuilleries, 
and each day the Queen addressed him. 

Yet we soon felt uneasy in our situation. The 
emigration increased rapidly ; M. de Lescure was 
blamed for not joining in it, and it seemed to me 
that his reputation would suffer. On coming to 
Paris, he had announced his design of emigrating; 
and it happened that he had changed his resolution 
precisely two days after the decree for confiscating 
the property of the emigrants. This was a terrible 
circumstance; — every body wrote to him in the 
strongest terms. In my anxiety, I desired Ma- 
dame de Lamballe to speak again to the Queen. 
Her Majesty desired her to repeat to me word for 
word her answer. ^^ 1 have nothing more to say to 
M. de Lescure ; it is for him to consult his con- 
science, his duty, his honour ; but he ouglit to re- 
member, that the defenders of a throne are always 
in their proper place when near their king," I then 
became easier, certain that the Princes would ap- 
prove of those who remained to defend the King. 
Their cause was the same, and they were in con- 
stant correspondence. 

When M. de Lescure knew the answer of the. 
Queen, he hesitated no longer. '' I should be con- 
temptible in my own eyes," said he to me, "if 1 
could balance an instant between my reputation 
and my duty. I ought above all to obey the King. 
t may suffer from it, but at least I shall have no 



i9 

self-reproach. I esteem the emigrants too much 
not to believe that each of them would conduct him- 
self as I do, were they in my place. I hope I shall 
be able to prove that, if I remain, it is neither from 
fear nor avarice ; and that opportunities will occur 
here, as well as out of France, to prove it. If they 
should not, I shall have sacrificed my honour also 
to the King, but I shall only have done my duty.'' 

Two months after, M. de Calvimont Saint-Mar- 
tial came from Coblentz to pass some days at Paris. 
I obtained permission to desire him to inform my 
uncle of Lorges that M. de Lescure had private 
orders. 

M. de Marigny, seeing that M. de Lescure did 
not set out, and that he was constantly at the pa 
lace, said to him, that, without demanding any con- 
fidence, he esteemed him too much not to follow his 
fate. We answered for him to Madame de Lam- 
balle ; and she succeeded in procuring him orders 
to remain. She gave them in charge to M. de Les- 
cure ; but the most absolute secrecy was always 
enjoined, not to give suspicions to the National 
Assembly. 

We lodged at the hotel Diesbach, and received 
no company. M. de Lescure was often at the Tu- 
illeries. Whenever he feared any commotion, he 
passed the whole day there. 

On the 20th of June, I went alone to the Princess 
de Lamballe's. I was in court-mourning on ac- 
count of the death of the Empress, which had al- 
ready exposed some persons to insults from the 
people. But the carriage could not penetrate fur 



so 

ther than the Carousel. The crowd was immense. 
I saw the populace disarm and ill-treat the guards 
of the King. The gates of the Tuilleries were shut ; 
nobody could get in, and I withdrew without hav- 
ing been observed. 

The summer passed away nearly in this manner. 
M. de Lescure was always at the TuillerieSj or in 
public places, even among the mob, disguising him- 
self, to judge better of the state of the public mind. 
As for me, I shunned society. I went but seldom 
even to the Princesse de Lamballe's, yet saw all 
her uneasiness and distress. Never was there a 
person more courageously devoted to the Queen : to 
her she made the sacrifice of her life. A short time 
before the lOtli of August, she said to me, '* As the 
danger augments, I feel more strength. I am rea- 
dy to die ; — I fear nothing ?'' She had not a 
thought that was not for the King and the Q^ueen. 
Her father-in-law, the Due de Penthi&vre, adored 
her. She had shewn him the most tender attentions, 
and he died of the anguish occasioned by her cruel 
death. 

About the S5th of July, Madame de Lamballe 
informed me that the Baron de Viomenii had ar- 
rived from Coblentz, and that he was to take the 
command of the gentlemen who remained with 'ik^ 
King. At that moment he came in, and she told 
him that M. de Lescure had received orders, and 
recommended him to the Baron. The 29th of Ju- 
ly, my fath'^r, mother, and some others of my fami- 
ly, arrived in Paris, Hying from Medoc, on account 



SI 

of scenes which had passed at Bourdeaux, in which 
two priests had been massacred. 

We ourselves were witnesses of a horrible deed 
committed in the street in which we lived. In the 
front of our hotel, a priest lodged who dealt in 
leather. He had excited the populace against him 
by saying, " that the assignats would raise the price 
of shoes, and that very soon they would pay twen- 
ty-two francs for them.'' From that moment they ac- 
cused him of being a monopoliser. The next load 
of leather which came for him, a man of the nation- 
al guards, a woman, and some cliildren, stopped 
the cart, calling out, " A la lanterne !'' (To the 
lamp-post! that is, hang him up at the lamp-post.) 
The priest descended to appease them, but could 
not succeed. They wished to carry by force this 
leather to the section, which was some doors high- 
er up the street. He consented to it, and they all 
went there. We had been walking in the Champs 
Elysees, and on returning we saw the street full of 
people, but the tumult was not very great. Scarce 
were we in the hotel, when shoutings begun. The 
priest was at the section ; the people wished to have 
him delivered up to them. Some administrators 
wished to save him, others opposed it. We feared 
the disorder would increase, and we quitted the ho- 
tel. The crowd, some steps farther on, broke the 
windows of a coffee-house, the master of which they 
accused of aristocracy, but said nothing to us. A 
moment after the unfortunate priest was thrown 
from the window, and the people tore him in 
pieces. 



22 

The 9tii of August M. de Gremion, a Swiss offi- 
cer of tlie King's constitutional guards^ came to our 
hotel to occupy a lodging that M. Diesbach had re- 
served for him. He arrived in the evening, and by 
a happy chance was unobserved. 

There was a rumour of a commotion the next 
day. M. de Lescure was preparing to pass the 
night at the palace^, when M. de Montmorin came 
in. He was governor of Fontainebleau, major of 
the regiment of Flanders ; the King honoured him 
with his particular confidence, well merited by 
his virtues ; and he had remained in Paris by his 
orders. ^"^ It is useless," said he, " to go to the 
palace to-night, I am just come from it. The 
King knows positively that they will not attempt 
an attack till the i2ih. There will be a distur- 
bance to-night ; but it will be on the side of the ar- 
senal. The people wish to seize the powder, and 
5000 of the national guards are commanded to op- 
pose them. Thus do not make yourselves uneasy, 
whatever you may hear, the palace is in safety. 1 
return to it only because I am to sup with Madame 
de Tourzel." 

Perfidious information had thus lulled the, court 
into security, and deceived us likewise,, 



23 



CHAPTER II. 



The Tenth of August. — Flight from Paris, 



Towards midnight we began to hear march- 
ing in the streets, and a gentle knocking at the 
doors. We looked out of the windows, and saw 
it was the battalion of the section that assembled 
with little noise. We imagined it was for the at- 
tack of the arsenal. Between two and three in the 
morning the tocsin was heard. M. de Lescure, 
extremely uneasy, could not remain at home, and, 
arming himself, he went out with M. de Marigny, 
to see if the populace assembled towards the Tuil- 
leries. My father and M. de Gremion, had arriv- 
ed so recently, that they had no cards of admission 
to the palace. They were therefore obliged to re- 
main, but the cards would have been of no service. 
M. de Lescure, and M. de Marigny, endeavoured 
in vain to penetrate by some of the avenues the}'^ 
knew so well. Piquets of the national guards de- 
fended the entry of each gate, and prevented the 
defenders of the King from approaching. M. de 
Lescure, after having gone round the Tuilleries, 
and seenM. Suleau massacred, returned to disguise 
himself as one of the populace, but scarcely was he 



in the hotel, when the cannonade began. Despair 
seized him. He could not forgive himself for not 
having penetrated to the palace. We at first 
heard the cry of ^^ Help ! see the Swiss ! We are 
lost P^ The battalion of the section returned, and 
were joined by three thousand men, armed with 
pikes newly made, from the faubourg. For a mi- 
nute we believed the King was successful, but very 
soon the cries of '' Yive la Nation ! Vivent les 
Sans Culottes !" succeeded those we at first heard. 
A deadly feeling took possession of us ! 

M. de Marigny had been separated from M. de 
Lescure. He was carried forwards by the crowds 
that attacked the palace. At the beginning of the 
attack a woman Avas wounded at his side ; he took 
her in his arms, and carrying her out, he escaped 
the horrid situation of marching against the king 
he wished to defend. It was impossible for some 
others to avoid this misfortune. 

M. de Montmorin reached our hotel after es- 
caping a great danger. He saw himself followed 
by four of the national guard, drunk with blood, 
who wanted to fight with him. He went into 
a grocer's shop, and asked for a glass of brandy. 
The four guards furiously entered with him. 
The grocer suspected that M. de Montmorin had 
come from the palace, and, assuming the air of an 
acquaintance, said to him, '^ Ah, well cousin, I 
did not expect you to come from the country to see 
the end of the tyrant ! But come, let us drink to the 
health of these brave comrades, and the nation :'° 
— and thus he was saved by the presence of mind 



25 

of this good man, who did not even know him; but 
it was for a short time, for he was massacred the 
2d of September. 

Many other persons came to ask an asylum from 
ns. We passed the day in cruel apprehensions. They 
massacred the Swiss in our neighbourhood ; the in- 
scription upon the door of our hotel, was Hotel do 
JDiesbachf and many passengers remarked it. M . 
de Lescure had been pointed at as a Knight of the 
Dagger. This was the name the people had given 
to tlie secret defenders of the King. Happily they 
were ignorant of the arrival of M. de Gremion. 
Besides, we were liked in the street, because we 
purchased all we wanted from their shops. The 
evening was expected with impatience, that we 
might leave the hotel. We agreed to repair se- 
cretly and in disguise to the house of an old female 
servant who lived in the street de FUniversite, 
faubourg St. Germain. My father and mother went 
out together, and arrived there without meeting any 
accident. I went with M. de Lescure, and begged 
that he would leave his pistols, as I found they 
would make him be known as a knight of the dag- 
ger. He yielded from compassion for my situation. 
I was then seven months gone with child. 

We went by the alley de Marigny, and from 
thence we entered Les Champs Elysees. They 
were deserted ; and all was obscurity and silence^ 
except the firing at the Tuilleries, heard in the dis- 
tance. Suddenly we distinguished the voice of a 
woman, coming towards us, and entreating protec- 
tion. She was pursued by a ma,n, who threatened 

D 



to kill her. Slie darted towards M. de Lescure, 
and seized his arm, crying, "Defend me. Sir!" 
He was extremely embarrassed, unarmed, and held 
hy two women, who clung to him, and were almost 
in a swoon. Endeavouring in vain to disengage 
himself to go to the man, who, levelling his gun at 
us, said, ^^ I have killed several Aristocrats to-day, 
and this will be some more.'^ He was completely 
drunk. M. de Lescure asked him what he wanted 
with this woman. ^^ I asked her the way to the 
Tuilleries, to go and kill the Swiss." In reality, 
he liad not at first intended to do her any harm, but, 
having been frightened, and taken flight without 
answering, he had pursued her. M. de Lescure, 
with his usual presence of mind, said to him, "' You 
are right ; I am going there also." The man then 
began to converse with him ; but from time to time 
he raised his musket, saying that he suspected we 
were Aristocrats, and that he must at least kill that 
woman. M. de Lescure wished to disarm him ; 
but the woman and I clung to his arms more and 
more, without knowing what we did. At last be 
persuaded the man that we were going to the Tuil- 
leries. He then wished to accompany us ; but M . 
de Lescure said to him, ^^ I have my wife here, 
who is with child, and near her time. I am taking 
her to her sister's, and then I shall join you." They 
agreed upon a place of meeting before they parted. 
I desired to leave the walks for the high road 
which divides the Champs Elysees. Never shall 
I forget the spectacle that presented itself to my 
eyes. On the right and left were the Champs Ely- 



^7 

sees, in which more than a thousand persons had 
been massacred during the day. The most pro- 
found silence and obscurity now reigned around. In 
front, we saw the barracks of the Tuilleries in 
ilames, and heard the firing and cries of the popu- 
lace. Behind us, the buildings of the barrier were 
also on fire. We wished to get into the walks on 
the right, and gain the bridge of Louis XV. ; but 
the swearing and shouting heard that way deterred 
us. Terror seized me, and I drew away M. dc 
Lescure to the left side, along the gardens of the 
faubourg St. Honore. We arrived at the place 
Louis XV., and were going to cross it, when we 
saw a mob coming out of the Tuilleries by the 
drawbridge, and firing muskets. We took, then, 
to the street Royale, and thus to the street St. Ho- 
nore. We passed through a crowd of men, armed 
with pikes, hooting ferociously. The most part 
were drunk. 

I had lost my senses so completely, that I went 
on crying, " Vivent les Sans-Cullotes / Illumines ! 
Casses les vitres .'" and repeated mechanically the 
vociferations I heard. M. de Lescure could not 
calm me, nor prevent my cries. At last we ar- 
rived at the Louvre, which was dark and solitary ; 
passed the Pont Neuf, and reached the Quay. 

The most profound silence reigned on this side of 
the Seine, whilst we saw on the other bank the 
flames of the Tuilleries, which threw a gloomy light 
on every object; and heard the noise of the cannon, 
the discharge of musketry, and the hallooiiigs of 
the multitude. It was a striking contrast, The rl 



2S 

ver seemed to divide two different regions. 1 was 
exhausted with fatigue, and unable to reach the 
place to which my mother had retired. I slept in 
an obscure street of the faubourg St. Grermain, at 
the house of an old housekeeper of M. de Lescure. 
I found there two servants, who had come to con- 
ceal some diamonds, and other things of value, 
which they had secured at the risk of their lives ; 
for the populace massacred all those whom they 
supposed had carried off any thing. I learned from 
them that my mother was safe, and begged of them 
to tell her of my safety. They could not, how- 
ever, return to her ; and she passed the night in 
anguish ; while my father wandered about the town 
to discover, if possible, what had become of me, 
which they did not learn till the next morning. 

We found, by two or three women who had re- 
mained at the hotel Diesbach, that the mob had 
been employed the whole night in massacring the 
Swiss in our street. Agatha my maid had a man 
killed at her side when she herself was carrying 
to one of the Swiss guards clothes for disguising 
himself. Next day the carnage continued. M. 
de Lescure, notwithstanding my entreaties, went 
to obtain news of our friends, and saw two men 
murdered. 

We remained eight days in our asylum, but my 
mother and I visited each other disguised as com- 
mon people. One day returning from her, M. de 
Lescure with me, and passing before a guard- 
house, a volunteer seated before the door said to 
his companions, " There are many knights of the 



dagger about : they are disguised, but they will be 
soon known.'' I concealed my emotion, but on 
entering the house I fell lifeless. 

The administrators of the section of the Roule 
were said to be tolerably good, but we durst not 
return to the hotel Diesbach, and retired to a fur 
nished lodging in the street of the university. It 
was here that my mother, already overwhelmed 
with misfortunes, was seized with an inflammatory 
fever on learning fby the public rumour that Ma- 
dame de Lamballe had been transferred to the 
Force. When she was a little better, we thought 
of leaving Paris. Every day there were numerous 
arrests, and we expected our turn, yet feared to 
hasten it, by applying for passports. Heaven sent 
us a deliverer. M. Thomassin, who had been go- 
vernor of M. de Lescure, was devoted to us, and 
determined to save us or perish. He was a man 
of talent and resources ; a great swordsman, and 
very bold. Altliough much attached to M. de 
Lescure, he was a little connected with the Revo- 
lutionary party; and, such as I have described 
him, it would have been easy for him to acquire 
favour and influence. He was a commissary of 
police, and captain of the section de St. Magloir. 
Having obtained a commission to purchase forage, 
he topk us himself to the section, dressed in his 
uniform, talking the language of the day with all 
the boasting of one of the heroes of the sections. 
An honest secretary despatched our passports with- 
out examination. M. Thomassin took afterward^* 
t\]\ the other steps at the municipalilT. 



30 

The next day we thought would have proved 
fatal to us. M. de Lescure wished, with the as- 
sistance of M. Thomassin, to obtain two other 
passports ; the one for M. Henri d6 la Rocheja- 
quelein, his cousin and friead, the other for Mr. 
Charles d'Autichamp, both of the constitutional 
guards of the King. When they had been dis- 
banded, the officers had received from the King 
himself orders not to emigrate, and to remain near 
him. M. d'Autichamp was twenty-three years of 
age, of a fine and noble figure, and had a distin- 
guished reputation among the officers. These two 
gentlemen were in the palace on the 10th of Au- 
gust, and had miraculously escaped. M. D'Auti- 
champ had killed two men in his own defence. 

In order to rescue them from the imminent dan- 
ger they were exposed to in Paris, M. de Lescure 
wished to employ the same means that had suc- 
ceeded for us ; but two witnesses being required to 
sign their passports, he applied to the master of the 
coffee-house whose windows the mob had broken on 
the 8th of August. This person obligingly con- 
sented; and even promised to bring a second wit-, 
ness. M. de Lescure, his two friends, the wit- 
nesses, and M. Thomassin, still in his military 
dress, went to our section. M. de Lescure declar- 
ed the gentlemen lodged in his house. The pass- 
ports were promised, but they had to wait a few 
minutes till some other persons had been despatch- 
ed. During this interval the second witness hap- 
pened to throw his eyes upon a paper posted up 
in the hall. This was a new decree, which con- 



31 

demned to imprisonment in irons false witnesses of 
passports. Tiie man terrified, approached the se- 
cretary, and announced to him that he must decline 
appearing for these gentlemen, as they were in fact 
unknown to him. Having made this declaration 
in a ftw voice, the secretary alone heard him. He 
being by great good fortune a humane man, whis- 
pered to M. de Lescure, " You are lost ! Save 
yourself.'^' Then affecting ill humour, he said 
aloud, ^^ that he had not time to write out their 
passports, and that they must call again." The 
gentlemen thus escaped. 

At last we set out for Poitou on the S5th of Au- 
gust, my father, my mother, and me, all very poor- 
ly dressed. We went in a carriage with M. Tho- 
massin in his full uniform. M. de Lescure rode 
on horseback, with a single servant. 

Arrived at the barrier, we shewed our passports, 
but were told that another was also requisite for 
the post-horses, with their description, and that we 
must go and ask for it at the section of St. Sulpice. 
M. Thomassin alighted, and, the captain of the 
post happening to be an acquaintance, he obtained 
permission to proceed immediately. There was 
before us another carriage stopped for the same 
cause, but to whom the captain refused the same 
favour. This carriage resolved to return to the 
section. Our postillion, who was a bad man, and 
drunk, chose to return also, and followed at full 
gallop the first carriage, in spite of the cries of M. 
Thomassin. As we reached the section, the peo- 
ple collected round the carriage, crying, ^^ A la 



lanterne, a VMhayeP^ " These are Aristocrats 
who are escaping,^' M. Thomassin alighted, 
sliewed our passports, and displayed all his com- 
missions. The commissaries remembered having 
seen him on various occasions. He obtained leave 
to proceed. Meanwhile, the tumult and clamours 
augmented round the carriage ; and when M. Tho- 
massin came out, the populace seemed to wish to 
oppose our departui'e. M. Thomassin then began 
to harangue them from the top of the steps before tlie 
door of the section. He displayed again his com- 
mission ; said that we were his relations, and that 
we went to purchase forage for the army ; and affect 
ing to abandon himself to his enthusiasm, he exhort 
ed all the young men to fly to the defence of their 
country, and swore that, his mission fulfilled, he 
would return and put himself at their head, to light 
for liberty ; and now, my friends, repeat with me, 
** Vive la J^ation.^^ Whilst the excited populace 
applauded him, he threw himself into the carriage, 
ordered the postillion to drive off, and we took 
again the road to Orleans. 

This postillion exposed us to a still greater dan- 
ger. A league from Paris, we met a detachment 
of the Marseillais ; it was the rear-gua; d of the 
troops that went to O leans to seek the prisoners, 
whom they afterwards put to the sword at Versail- 
les, on their way to Paris. The postillion took 
it into his head to drive through the ' e y middle of 
them, throwing down two or three. In an instant 
we saw guns levelled at us. M. Thomassin shew- 
ed himself at the coach-door. '^ My comrades,'* 



33 

said he to them, " kill this rascal. J^ve la naf> 
tion.^^ On seeing the uniform and theiiianners of 
M. Thomassin they were appeased. 

The soldiers we met on the road, in numerous 
columns, going to join the armies, were insolent, 
stopped and insulted carriages ; hut our Parisian 
captain, presenting himself, and crying " Vive la 
natiorif^^ extricated us from every difficulty. 

At the barrier of Orleans, where we arrived in 
the evening, our passports were demanded — the 
people collected about us, inquiring eagerly, and 
with uneasiness, whether it was true that the priso- 
ners were going to be taken away. They told us, 
tliese prisoners were good people, that the town was 
devoted to them, and would take their defence, if 
necessary. 

I was much moved by these sentiments, and the 
ecene we had here will be ever present to my me- 
mory. 

After Beaugency, Ave arrived at a village where 
our passports were again demanded. 

As soon as the people knew that there was a cap. 
tain of the national guard of Paris, they begged 
him to come out, and review fifty volunteers of the 
village, who were going to join the army. M. Tho- 
mtssin alighted immediately, gravely drew his 
sword, made a patriotic speech to them, and got 
into the carriage again, amid the cries of " Vive la 
nation.''^ 

We met with many similar adventures, but the 
Parisian uniform had every where great power. 
M. Thomassin played his part admirably — he ha^l 

E 



u 

quite the ascendancy of manners of a general, and 
thanks to him we travelled a road covered with for» 
ty thousand volunteers, without being arrested or 
eveu insulted. 

At Tours we learnt there were disturbances at 
Bressuire, the very town near which our estate of 
Clisson was situated, 

We stopped in the suburbs of Tours. But M. 
de Lescure continued his route to Poitou. 



3S 



CHAPTER m. 



Description of the Socage, — Manners of the Inha- 
bitants. — First effects of the Revolution. — Insur- 
rection of August 1792. — The 2)6riod which pre- 
ceded the war in La Vendee. 



We passed two days in tolerable tranquillity 
in the suburbs. There was, however, at the time> 
some slight tumult in the town. The people made 
the poor women who did not choose to hear mass 
from the constitutional priests, ride through the 
town upon asses. 

M. de Lescure sent us an express as soon as he 
knew the true state of Poitou. He told us that 
every thing was quiet there, and that we might con- 
tinue our journey. We took the road of Saumur. 
In a village through which we passed, a peasant on 
duty stopped the carriage, and insisted on seeing 
our passports, and opening our trunks. This, as our 
female servants, who had the keys, were not with 
us, embarrassed us extremely. The people of the 
village began to collect. M. Thomassin asked for 
the commanding officer, shewed him our passports, 
and complaining of the insubordination of the sol- 
diers, desired the centinel should be sent to prison. 



36 

The officer apologised and bowed respfecfcfully. Wc 
arrived at Thouars. 

This town had embraced with warmth the popu- 
lar party. The insurrection of some neighbouring 
districts, against which the national guard had 
marched, augmented the fermentation. They al- 
lowed us, however, to pass, after having rummaged 
and overturned our trunks, and opened pots of 
sweetmeats, seeking for gunpowder. At last we ar- 
rived at Clisson. The chateau of Clisson is situat- 
ed on the part of Poitou named Le 'pays du Socage, 
but known since the civil war by the glorious name 
of Vendee. The Bocage comprehended a part of 
Poitoti, of Anjou, and of the county of Nantes, and 
makes now part of four departments, Loire-Infe- 
rieure, Maine- et-Loire, Deux-Bevres, et Yendee. 
Its limits were the Loire to the north, from Nantes 
to Angers ; west the marshy countries along the sea- 
c5oast, south and east a line beginning at Sables, 
and passing between Lucon, and La Roche-sur- 
Yon, by Fontenay, La Chataigneraie, Parthenay, 
Thouars, Brissac, and dnding at the Loire, a little 
above the bridge of Ce. The war did not extend 
beyond these limits permanently. 

This country differs by its aspect, and still more 
by the manners of the inhabitants, from most of the 
other provinces of France. It is formed in general 
of small hills, unconnected with any chain of moun- 
tains. The valleys are neither deep nor w ide ; in- 
considerable streams run through them in various 
ilirections, towards the Loire, or the sea ; others 
Uniting form small rivers. GSranitic rocks appear 



37 

evei'y where. It may easily be conceived that a 
country without either chains of mountains, rivers, 
extensive valleys, or even a general slope, forms 
a sort of labyrinth. You scarcely find any hill suf- 
ficiently elevated above the others to serve for a 
point of observation, or to command the country. 
Approaching Nantes along the S^vre, the country 
assumes an aspect of more grandeur. The hills are 
more elevated and steeper. The river is rapid, and 
flows between high banks, and the general appear- 
ance becomes wild instead of rural. The eastern 
part of the Bocage is comparatively level and open. 
The whole country, as may be supposed from the 
name, is well wooded, although without extensive 
forests. Each field or meadow, generally small, 
is fenced witli a quickset hedge, and trees very 
close together, — not high nor spreading, the branch- 
es being lopped off every five years, twelve or fif- 
teen feet above ground. The soil is not fertile in 
grain, and being often leftuntilled, becomes cover- 
ed with broom and furze. There is much grass 
land and pasture, and the landscape is in general 
very green, and varied with many dwellings and 
farm-houses, the flat tile roofs of which, together 
with the steeples of churches, peep here and there 
through the trees : the view, in general bounded, 
extends occasionally to a few leagues. 

Besides two main roads running through the 
country, one from Nantes to Roche] le, the other to 
Tours and Bourdeaux ])y Poitou, it is intersected 
by cross roads in all directions, narrow and deep, 
between hedges and trees arching over : miry in 



33 

wintei*, and rough in summer ; and, when they hap- 
pen to follow the declivity of a hill, often servin^j 
at the same time, for the bed of a rivulet. In some 
instances, these cross roads ascend the heights by 
irregular steps over rocks. At the end of each 
field, almost, you meet with a short turn or a 
branching off, which leaves the traveller in uncer- 
tainty what course to follow, finger-posts being un- 
known* The inhabitants themselves are frequent- 
ly at a loss when they happen to go two or three 
leagues from home. There are no great towns in 
the Bocage ; small ones, of two or three thousand 
souls, are dispers^ed over its surface. The villages 
are not numerous, and distant from each other. The 
ground is divided into small farms, each inhabited 
by a family and some serv'ants. 

It is seldom that a farm yields to the proprietor 
more than 600 francs a-year ; the revenue is prin- 
cipally from grazing. The gentlemen's residences 
were built and furnished without magnificence, and 
had neither extensive parks nor fine gardens.— 
Their owners lived without pomp, and even with 
extreme simplicity. When called to the capital 
on business or pleasure, they generally did not re- 
turn to the Bocage with the au-s and manners of 
Paris. Their greatest luxury at home was the 
table, and their only amusement field sports. At 
all times the gentlemen of Poitou have been cele- 
brated sportsmen. This exercise, aud the kind of 
life they led, accustomed them to fatigue, and to 
the privation of those conveniences to which the 
rich attach generally s^uch importance. The wo- 



39 

men travelled on horseback, and in litters or car- 
riages drawn by oxen. The mutual relation that 
subsisted between the Seigneur* and his tenants 
was rather peculiar. The proprietors did not 
lease out their land, but divided the produce with 
the farmer. A certain community of interest and 
personal acquaintance was the consequence of this 
system, often productive of mutual esteem and at- 
tachment. The farms being small, a seigneuv 
had twenty or thirty such tenants, in the midst of 
whom he lived paternally, conversing with them 
about their affairs, the care of their cattle, and 
taking an interest in their good or ill fortune, in 
which he was himself concerned. He went to the 
weddings of their children, and drank with the 
guests. On Sunday, the tenants danced in the 
court of the Chateau, and the ladies often joined. 
When there was to be a hunt of the wolf, the boar, 
or stag, the information was communicated by 
the curate to the parishioners in church after the 
service. Each took his gun, and went jo;y fully to 
the place assigned. The hunters posted the 
shooters, who conformed strictly to the orders 
given them, and this was very like their tactics 
during the civil war. With these habits, the in^ 
habitants of the Bocage were an excellent people, 
mild, pious hospitable, charitable, full of courage 
and vivacity ; of pure manners, and honest princi- 
ples. Crimes were never heard of, and law-suits 



* Feudal lord. 



40 

were rare. They were devoted to their landlords^ 
and their manner, although free, was respectful ; 
naturally suspicious, their confidence, when once 
bestowed, was unbounded. 

The inhabitants of the towns and the small pro- 
prietors did not entertain the same sentiments to- 
wards the seigneurs and landholders ; neverthe- 
less, as they were always received with kindness 
and familiarity when they came to their houses, 
and many of them were under obligations, they 
also had an affection and respect for the principal 
families of the country. Some had embraced with 
warmth revolutionary opinions, but without any 
particular animosity. The horrors which have 
been committed w«re often strongly opposed by 
them. 

In the year 1789, as soon as the Revolution 
commenced, the towns shewed themselves favour- 
able to it, while the people of the plain were fore- 
most in burning and destroying. Those of the 
Bocage, on the contrary, saw with dread and re- 
gret these excesses and innovations, which, far 
from adding to, could only disturb their happi= 
n,ess. 

' When the national guards were formed, they 
begged the seigneur in each parish to take the 
command, and they likewise chose them for may- 
ors. The seignorial seats were ordered to be re- 
moved from the churches ; but the order was not 
executed. In short, the peasants of the Bocage 
shewed themselves uniformly discontented with 
the new order of things, and devoted to the gentle- 
men. 



41 

The new oath required of the priests added to 
their discontent. When they saw themselves de- 
prived of their curates, to whom they were accns- 
tonied, who understood their manners and their 
dialect, who almost all belonged to the country, 
whom they knew and respected, and saw them re- 
placed by sti'angers, they ceased to attend the mass 
of their parish. The sworn priests were insulted 
or abandoned. The new curate of Echaubroignes 
was obliged to withdraw, without having been able 
even to obtain fire to light the tapers ; and this 
universal agreement existed in a parish of four 
thousand inhabitants. The old priests concealed 
themselves, and said mass in the woods. In some 
places rigorous measures were attempted ; and par- 
tial risings and considerable riots took place. Tlie 
gendarmerie experienced some resistance ; and the 
peasants began to evince steadiness and courage. 
An unfortunate man of the Bas-Poitou fought a 
long time with a pitch-fork against the gendarmes. 
After receiving twenty-two cuts with a sabre, they 
called to him, ^'^ Rends-toi." He replied, " Rends- 
moi mon Dieu," and thus expired*. 

The insurrection of August 1793 was more im- 
portant. After the lOtli of August, the revolution- 
ary measures had become still more severe ; the re- 
fractory priests were warmly pursued, and their 
cliurches shut up. The harshness and insolence 
of the new administrators towards a people accus- 

* This being a sort of a pun, cannot woll be translat- 
ed — ^« Surrender ! — surrender mc, mv God !" 

F 



4a 

tomed to mildness and justice, together with the 
news of the first successes of the coalesced powers, 
inflamed the public mind. 

The peasants assembled armed with guns, 
scythes, and pitchforks, to hear mass in the fields, 
and to defend their curate, should there be an at- 
tempt to carry him off. A particular circumstance 
set all the people in motion. A man named De- 
louche. Mayor of Bressuire, had a quarrel with 
some other functionaries, and was driven from the 
town, in which he had proclaimed martial law. 
He then went to Moncoutant, where he excited 
the peasants to rise, and more than forty parishes 
united. M. Baudry d'Asson, and Delouclie, were 
the leaders of this multitude. Three other gentle- 
men, MM. de Calais, de Richeteau, and de Feu, 
took also a part. All the other seigneurs of the 
country, who had not emigrated, were still at Pa- 
ris. This expedition was conducted with pro- 
found ignorance. M. Baudry did not want cour- 
age, but he had no skill, and was incapable of 
commanding ten men. He led to slaughter these 
unfortunate peasants. They hesitated whether 
they would march first upon Chatillon or upon 
Bressuire ; at last, against the advice of M. De- 
louche, they decided upon attacking Chatillon, 
where the municipality was. They entered with- 
out resistance. The municipality withdrew to 
Bressuire. They burnt all their papers, and then 
marched to the latter town. According to all ap- 
pearance, Bressuire would have been taken, but 
for a dreadful storm which dispersed the insurgents. 



43 

This delay gave time to the national guard of the 
Plaine to succour the town : the peasants attacked 
it next day. The national guards who were in the 
first fervour of their patriotism, shewed sufficient 
courage, but it was not long necessary. The com- 
bat was short, and the insurgents were dispersed 
immediately. About a hundred poor peasants were 
killed, crying Vive le Roi ! and about five hundred 
taken prisoners. Delouche made his escape, but 
was afterwards arrested at Nantes. M. de Riclie- 
teau was shot at Thouars, without a trial. M. 
Bau dry succeeded in concealing himself, and evad- 
ed pursuit during six months. He appeared again 
in the war of La Vendee, in which he was killed. 
This victory of the national guard was stained with 
atrocities. In spite of the indignation of the great- 
er part of the inhabitants of Bressuire, and tlie ef- 
forts of some good people, there were several pri- 
soners massacred in cold blood. M. Duchatel of 
Thouars, who afterwards in the Convention shew- 
ed so much courage at the trial of the King, did all 
he could to save these unfortunate beings. They 
were murdered in his arms, and he was wounded in 
endeavouring to preserve them. MM. de Feu and 
de Richeteau, who, in consequence of some confe- 
rences, had the evening before consented to remain 
as hostages, were also massacred. Some of the 
national guard of the Plaine returned to their 
homes, carrying as trophies, at the point of their 
bayonets, noses, ears, and shreds of human flesh. 
Tlie commission for the trial of prisoners at Niort 



44 

shewed, on the contrary, much gentleness and hu- 
maniij. It pronounced no condemnation ; all the 
blame was thrown upon the dead or the absent. 

It was a few days after tliese sad events that we 
- arrived at Clisson. The parish of Boisme, in which 
the chateau is situated, had taken no share in the 
revolt. As it almost bordered on the Plaine, the 
minds of the people were less heated, particularly 
as they had preserved their priests. The curate 
and the vicar had taken the oaths, protesting in it, 
however, against any thing in them contrary to the 
Catholic religion. They continued to acknowledge 
the former bishop, and not to obey the constitution- 
al one. The municipality, who knew the danger 
of irritating the peasants upon this point, shut tlieir 
eyes to this irregularity, to such a degree, that the 
vicar, having written to the municipality that he re- 
tracted even this species of oath, received no reply. 

Very soon after our arrival, we heard of the 
massacres of September. We wished to conceal 
from my mother the death of Madame de Lamballe, 
but she suspected it, and interrogated u*s. Our si- 
lence confirmed her fears — she fell lifeless, and 
continued three weeks in a dangerous state. We 
succeeded in concealing from her the assassination 
of some other persons, particularly that of M. de 
Montmorin, ilm best friend of our family. 

It was at that time that the nuns were turned out 
of their convents. My mother had been educated 
at Angoulenie, by her aunt. Abbess of St. Auxonne, 
sister of the Due de Civrac. and entertained for her 



45 

mucli gratitude and attachment. We sent M. Tho- 
niassiu to bring her to us ; offering an asyhim to 
other religieuses, but she came alone. 

M. Henri de Larochejaquelein succeeded at last 
in escaping from Paris. All his family having 
emigrated, he found himself alone at the Chateau 
of La Durbelliere, in the parish of St. Aubin de 
Baubigne, one of those that had revolted. This 
circumstance, and being an officer in the King's 
guard, gave reason to fear some measure being ta- 
ken against him. M. de Lescure invited him to 
come to Clisson, where there did not appear the 
least symptom of disturbance. I was at that time 
near my confinement. The Chateau was filled with 
women and old people. M. de Lescure was not a 
man to commit any imprudence ; and besides, he 
was much loved, and looked upon as entirely de- 
voted to religion and study. We lived unmolest- 
ed. Henri de Larochejaquelein w as then twenty ; 
he had lived little in the world ; his manners and 
laconic expressions had something in them remark- 
alTly simple and original. There was much sweet- 
ness in his countenance, as well as elevation. Al- 
though bashful, his eyes were quick and animated. 
He was tall and elegant, had fair hair, an oval face, 
and the contour ratlier English than French. He 
excelled in all exercises, particularly in horseman- 
ship. We had many other guests at Clisson : M. 
d* Auzon, an infirm and respectable old man, a near 
relation of M. de Lescure, and who had acted to- 
w ards him as a father ; M. Desessarts, our neigh- 
boar, a man that the family of Lescure had always 



4f6 

loved^ and who for many years had inhabited the 
chateau with his children. One of his sons, a na- 
val officer, had emigrated. M. de Lescure was 
much attached to another destined for the church, 
who/ although he had not yet taken orders, was 
required to take the oath, which refusing, he had 
been obliged to live at Poitiers under the superin- 
teu dance of the police. Both the father and son 
were men of talents and worth ; Mademoiselle De- 
sessarts possessed the same qualities. There was 

at the same time at Clisson a Chevalier de — , 

a distant relation. The Revolution had ruined 
him, and he had taken refuge among us. He was 
a man of fifty, s' ort, fat, good natured, foolish, and 
a cov/ard. In his youth he had been intended for 
the church ; and then he was very dissipated. Since 
he had entered the army he had become a bigot to 
a ridiculous degree. 

Such was the society that inhabited Clisson. 
They conixued themselves at home from prudence, 
neither making nor receiving any visits. Our do- 
mestics were numerous, almost all trusty, and de- 
voted to us and our opinions. The maitre-d'hotel, 
and the valet-de-chambre surgeon of Madame de 
Lescure, were nevertheless very revolutionary ; but 
M. de Lescure kept them in his service from re- 
spect for the wishes of his grandmother, to whom 
tliey had paid the most devoted attentions, and who 
had recommended them in her last moments. 

In the evening of the 31st of October, I was 
brought to bed of a daughter. At any other time 
I should have wished to nurse her; but I foresaw 



47 

tliat soon or late the Revolution would reach us, 
and I wished to be at liberty to follow M. de Les- 
cure wherever he might go, should it be to a pri- 
son, if he were taken, or to the war, in which, if it 
should break out, he had resolved to join. I there- 
fore hired a nurse for my child. 

The King perished. MM. de Larochejaquelein 
and de Lescure had charged some friends to give 
them notice, if any measures were taken to save 
him. Nothing was attempted. It may easily be 
imagined the profound grief we were thrown into 
on hearing of this outrage. For many days there 
was nothing but weeping in the Chateau. 

When the worst of the winter was past, my mo- 
ther thought of returning into Medoc. She wished 
to take me along with her, but I could not think of 
leaving M. de Lescure, and he would not have 
consented to absent himself from Poitou. He fore- 
saw that soon or late the peasants, continually 
vexed and tormented, would at last revolt, and he 
would then wish to command them. My father 
remained for the same reason. Travelling was 
besides very dangerous, much more so than re- 
maining on the same spot. In the midst of these 
irresolutions the war broke out. 

I am now come to a period of awful celebrity. 
It may be seen that this war was not, as has been 
said, fomented by the nobles and the priests. The 
unhappy peasants, wounded in every thing that 
was dear to them, subjected to a yoke Vv hich the 
happiness they had formerly enjoyed made them 
feel still heavier, revolted at last, and chose for 



48 

tbeir leaders men in wliom they had placed their 
confidence and affection. The gentlemen and the 
curates, proscribed and persecuted themselves^, 
marched with them, and supported their courage. 
The insurrection began, from the impulse of the 
moment, without plan, without concert, and almost 
without hopes ; for what could a handful of men, 
destitute of means of any sort, effect against the 
forces of all France ? Their first successes infi- 
nitely surpassed their expectations. 

The minds of the people being universally dis- 
posed to resistance, the first example was followed 
generally without previous concert or understand- 
ing. The different chiefs did not even know each 
other. As to M. de Lescure, and our friends, I 
can afiirm that they took no step that could lead to 
war. They foresaw it, they desired it even, but 
it was a vague and remote idea. Had they pro- 
voked the revolt by any secret means, or had ac- 
tively laboured to excite the peasants, I should 
have known it, and certainly they were not in a 
situation to have it concealed. I shall endeavour 
to show how they were led to take a part in the 
insurrection. Throughout the whole country it be- 
gan nearly under similar circumstances, and in the 
same manner. 



49 



CHAPTER IV. 



Commencement of the War. — Departure ofJlI.de 
Larochejaquelein. — Our Arrest, ■ 



The demand of three hundred thousand men 
far the army was the cause of an almost general 
rising in the Bocage. This movement assumed 
an importance at two remote points ; Challans, in 
the Bas-Poitou, and St. Florent in Anjou, upon 
the banks of the Loire. There was no concert 
between these two insurrections, and it was even 
a long time before the parties concerned in the one 
district, knew what was passing in the other. At 
St. Florent, the drafting had been notified for the 
10 til of March. The young men assembled there 
almost determined to resist. When the admini- 
stration saw they were so ill-disposed, they at- 
tempted to harangue them. The resistance increas- 
ing, they came to threats; the republican command- 
er had next a cannon pointed, and soon after fired 
on the young men; none of them were killed. 
They rushed on the piece, and it was abandoned : 
the gendarmes and the administrators fled. The 
municipality was pillaged, the papers burnt, and 

G 



so 

ilie cash distributed. The rest of the day was 
spent in rejoicings. The young men then returned 
home, without well knowing what would become 
of them, or how they would escape the terrible 
vengeance of the republicans. 

Jaques Cathelineau, of the village of Pin eu 
Maugcs, carrier and hawker of woollens, much re- 
spected among the peasants, was kneading the 
bread for his family, when he received intelligence 
of what had passed. He immediately took the re- 
solution of heading his countrymen, and not leav- 
ing them a prey to the calamities ready to fall upon 
them. His wife supplicated him not to think of this. 
He listened to nothing ; but, wiping his arms, and 
putting on his coat, he went forth instantly, and, as- 
sembling the inhabitants, spake to them with ener- 
gy of the signal punishment to which they would be 
subjected, if they did not defend themselves. The 
weight of Cathelineau's character, as a wise and 
pious man, and the courage and warmth that ani- 
mated his discourse, inspired all the young men. 
Immediately about twenty of them, arming them- 
selves, prepared to march with him. They set out 
directly for the village of La Poitevini^re, where 
Cathelineau, sounding the tocsin, assembled the 
inhabitants, spoke to them as he had to their neigh- 
bours, and with similar success. 

His troop amounting now to more than a hun- 
dred men, he determined to attack a republican de- 
tachment of eighty men, stationed at Jallais, with 
one piece of cannon. They marched, recruiting all 
ih^ way. The detachment was beat. They made 



51 

the men prisoners, and seized the piece, which the 
peasants surnamed the Missionary^ and also arms 
and horses. 

Encouraged by this first success, Cathelineau at= 
tacked the same day Chemille, where he found two 
hundred republicans^ and three pieces of cannon. 
The insurgents were already more than four hun- 
dred. They stood a first discharge, then, rushing 
upon their enemies, gained a complete victory. 

Two other insurrections broke out at the same 
time in the neighbourhood. A young peasant nam- 
ed Foret, of the village of Chauzo, somewhat bet- 
ter informed, and more intelligent than his compa^ 
nions, had returned to France, after having follow- 
ed an emigrant, and appeared to exercise consider- 
able influence over the young people of St. Florent. 
The gendarmes came to arrest him. He expected 
it; and, as soon as he saw them approach, he fired, 
and killed one of them. He then ran to the churchy 
sounded the tocsin, assembled the inhabitants, urg- 
ed them to revolt, and raised a large troop in the 
neighbouring villages. Stofflet, garde-chasse of 
M. de Maulevrier, did as much on his part; and, 
on the 14th of March, in the morning, these two 
troops joined that of Cathelineau. The same day 
they attacked ChoUet, which is the most consider- 
able town of the country. They had to encounter 
five hundred republicans, who had cannon. The 
combat was neither more uncertain nor longer than 
that of Chemille, but the results were more import- 
ant. They found there ammunition, arms, and 
monev. 



Easter approached, and the pcasafits, thiukina; 
they had done enough, wished to return home. 
The army was entirely dissolved, and every thing 
returned to its accustomed order. A republican 
column, sent from Angers, traversed the country, 
and found no resistance ; but they dared not exer- 
cise vengeance. After Easter, there was a new ri- 
sing, to drive away the republicans ; but the pea- 
sants wished to have higher leaders, and applied to 
the gentlemen, requesting they would put them- 
selves at their head. M. d'Elbee, who had taltea 
no share in the first insurrection, was seated quiet- 
ly by his wife, who had just lain in, when they came 
to him. M. deBonchamp, a man of the first con- 
sideration in the country, was taken unawares, in 
the same manner. The insurrection of Bas-Poitou 
began the 13th of March, nearly at the same time 
as that of Anjou, and was more general. From 
Fonteuay to Nantes, scarcely a parish submitted to 
the drafting; and they formed associations to resist 
the republicans. The most extensive were those of 
Challans and Machecotilt. One Gaston, a barber, 
commanded the first. Having killed an officer, he 
dressed himself in his uniform. After taking ChaU 
lans, he marced upon St. Gervais, but was killed 
there. This Gaston has since been absurdly mis- 
taken for an oflBcerof the same name, commanding 
at Longwy, who had opened the gates to tiie Prin- 
ces in the year 1792. For a long time the public 
believed that all the insurgents of La Vendee were 
commanded by this Gaston, whilst, in Poitou, his 
speedy death had left his name almost unknown. 



5B 

The insiirgentg of the district of Machecoult had 
etill greater successes, stained, unfortunately, by 
atrocities ; it is the only place where a reproach of 
that sort was justly incurred. 

Soon after the insurrection, the peasants chose 
M. de Charette, a man of family, for the chief 
of these two bodies of insurgents, which very 
soon became the most considerable array of Bas- 
Poitou. Till that moment he had taken no part in 
the insurrection. The men were under no disci- 
pline, and difficult to command ; he probably could 
not prevent their cruelties, and certainly did not 
approve of them, but thought, perhaps, that he 
could depend more entirely upon men who had no 
mercy to hope for, nor terms to expect. In a 
short time he was the principal chief of this dis- 
trict. Meanwhile, five or six small corps remain- 
ed under their own particular commanders. On 
the side of Herbiers and of Chantonnay, another 
army was formed on the same day, commanded 
from the first by gentlemen, M. de Yerteuil, MM. 
de Bejarry, and some others. It was on this side 
that the insurgents obtained the most signal suC'- 
cesses ; and it was from hence the general name 
x)f Vendeans came. They fought a republican 
general, and took Herbiers, Chantonnay, and Pont 
Charran. M. de Royrand, who had been former- 
ly an officer, and was much respected, was soon 
chosen their chief. 

During all these transactions, we were perfectly 
quiet at. Clisson, without suspecting any thing. 
Such at that time was the state of inaction and 



d4< 

stupor^ that no one knew what was passing at the 
distance of a few leagues^ M. Thomassin had 
gone to the estate of M. de Lescure, near Sables, 
In returning, he passed through the town of Her- 
biers, and found every thing perfectly calm there ; 
but he had not left it two hourS; when he was over- 
taken by people flying at full gallop, who said that 
Herbiers had been taken by six thousand English 
just landed. He laughed at them, and continued his 
journey. On arriving at Bressuire, he found the re- 
port had reached it, and was anxiously questioned 
on the subject. The whole town was in alarm ; two 
hundred volunteers were under arms, but none 
knew what to believe. M. Thomassin, who had 
continued to act the part of a patriotic captain, and 
always wore his uniform, inspired the constituted 
authorities with confidence. He made light of their 
fears, and said he would undertake to defend their 
town against all attacks. They took him at his 
word, and exacted a promise that he would return 
that same evening ; and he really did return to 
Bressnire, after having made his report to us, and 
raised ojur curiosity and expectations. The next 
day, he sent us notice that Herbiers and some other 
towns had been taken, but that it was not known 
whether by the rebels or by the disembarked troops. 
A landing appeared improbable, and yet such suc- 
cess, gained by peasants, did not appear more pro- 
bable. 

Every hour brought us absurd and contradictory 
accounts. M. de Laropljejaqnelein resolved to send 
a servant to the house of his aunt, Mademoiselle de 



65 

LarochejaqueleiD, who lived at St. Aubiu de Bau- 
bigne, from which Herbiers was only four or five 
leagues distant. He wrote a trifling letter^ charging 
the servant to bring us verbal intelligence. M. de 

Chevalier de , who was also a relation and 

friend of Mademoiselle, gave the servant^ without 
telling us, a letter for her, sending a dozen of con- 
secrated hearts, which he had painted on paper, 
with the following expressions : << I send you a 
small supply of consecrated hearts; those who 
have faith in them, succeed in all their undertak- 
ings.'' The servant was stopped at Bressuire, and 
his letter opened. As it was said, that the insur- 
gents had for their rallying sign a consecrated heart 
sewed to their clothes, the letter of the Chevalier 
produced a terrible effect. The next day, at seven 
in the morning, we were awakened by the infor- 
mation, that the chateau was surrounded by two 
hundred volunteers, and that twenty gendarmes 
were in the court. We supposed they had come to 
arrest M. de Larochejaquelein. We hid him, and 
then M. de Lescure went to inquire of the gen- 
darmes the occasion of their coming. They an- 
swered, that the municipality demanded that the 

Chevalier de should be delivered up, 

and also all the horses, equipages, arms, and am- 
munition, that should be found in the chateau. M. 
de Lescure laughed, and said to them, that they 
seemed to take his house for a fort, commanded by 
the Chevalier; yet there was surely a mistake in 
the orders of the municipality, a^ the Chevalier 
was a peaceable and infirm man, who would die of 



58 

fear, were they to arrest him, and that he would 
be responsible for him. As to the other things, he 
would deliver the horses, forage, and fire-arms, as 
he thought they might have occasion for them. 

The brigadier of the gendarmes then took M. 
de Lescure apart, and said, that he entertained the 
same opinions as we did, and that he saw clearly a 
counter- revolution would soon take place. The in- 
surgents, or the disembarked troops, he added, had 
defeated entirely the patriots at Montaigu. He 
said that it was necessary, in the mean time, to sa- 
tisfy the municipality in the best manner they 
could ; and asked, as a favour of M. de Lescure, 
to bear testimony for him in due time, that he might 
preserve his place. My husband listened to all 
these confidential communications of the timorous 
patriot, without a reply, and we came off this time 
for a few bad horses. 

The insurrection gained ground every moment. 
Bressuire was menaced. The municipality and au» 
tiiorities had withdrawn to Thouars. M. Thomas- 
sin had found means of making his escape two days 
after, and came to Clisson. He told us the cause 
of the visit of the gendarmes, and the history of 
the consecrated hearts. They wanted at first to 
burn the chateau, but he had succeeded in appeas- 
ing the first ebullition. We past the day in joy, ex- 
pecting the royalist army. The parishes in the en- 
virons of Bressuire had been disarmed, after the af- 
fair of the month of August. The most ardent 
among the peasants had been killed, or obliged to 
conceal themselves. Thus our neighbourhood was 



kept back, till they had received asshtance. Tli© 
next day we heard the rebels had been repulsed, 
and that the authorities had returned to Bressuire. 
This threw us into consternation. It was the sig. 
nal of our ruin, a's it became necessary for M. de 
licseure to take a decisive part ; the national 
guards were called together for the defence of Bres- 
suire, and he had been for four years Commandant 
of his parish. There were in the chateau more thau 
twenty-five men capable of bearing arms, and the 
orders for marching against the rebels might be ex- 
pected before long. We should willingly have 
joined these, but we were ignorant where they 
might be, and we had no means of escape. We all 
assembled to decide upon this subject ; Henri de 
Larochejaquelein, who was the youngest, epoke 
first. He said with ardour, that he would rather 
perish than take up arras against the peasants or 
the emigrants. M. de Lescure expressed himself 
to the same purpose. Every one agreed, and in 
that perilous moment none had an idea of proposi 
ing a timid counsel. 

My mother then said, **^ Gentlemen, you are all 
of the same opinion ; rather to die than live with 
dishonour !" she pronounced these words with 
firmness, and, seating herself in an arm-chair, said, 
'* Well, we must die." M. Thomassiu answered, 
"No, Madam, I will go to-morrow to Bressuire, 
and endeavour to save you; — perhaps lam become 
suspected by the patriots, from having left them ; 
it is possible they may arrest me; — but no matter, 
I am determined to run the risk." We made him 

H 



68 

our acknowledgments. M. Thomassia set out, and 
we all began our preparations. I sent my little 
daughter to the village with her nurse, and my 
mother, my aunt, the abbess, and myself, went to 
conceal ourselves at a farm. The gentlemen con- 
tinued in the chateau, prepared for every thing, 
after having required of us not to remain with them. 
We continued during four hours in this farm, upon 
our knees in prayer, and dissolved in tears. At 
last M. Thomassin sent to tell us, that he had been 
well enough received ; that there was nothing de- 
cided against us, and, so far, mere threats. 

We passed an anxious week. Our servants could 
not enter the tow;n without a pass, and they were 
searched with care. M. Thomassin could not write 
to us. 

M. de Lescure and Henri had undertaken to 
teach me to ride ; but I was so frightened, that, 
even when a servant held the bridle of my horse, 
and these two gentlemen were walking at each 
side of me, I wept from fear. But my husband 
said, that, at such a time, it was necessary to be 
inured to dangers. By little and little I became 
Jess fearful, and took, at a slow pace, some rides 
around the chateau. One morning we were all 
three on horseback, when the gendarmes were ob- 
served at a distance coming towards us. We forced 
Henri to gallop away. The gendarmes again de- 
manded horses, and especially those of M. de 
Larochejaquelein. He had one in the stable ; M. 
de Lescure endeavoured to save it. The gen- 
darmes told him that M, de J^arochejaquelein W3ls 



59 

much more suspected than he was. ^' I do not know 
whyy'' answered he. " He is my friend and cou- 
sin, and our opinions are ^perfectly the same.^' 
The gendarmes, asking where he was, he said, 
" Out walking.'^ They took away the horse; with- 
out saying any thing more. 

Meanwhile, we heard everyday of new arrests* 
All the gentlemen that remained, most of them old 
and infirm, were imprisoned. Women were not 
spared, and we expected our turn. During these 
transactions, the order for drawing the militia ar- 
rived. Henri was comprehended in it, which in- 
creased our perplexity and distres's extremely. Just 
then, an express arrived from Mademoiselle de 
Larochejaquelein to her nephew. The messenger 
was a young peasant, who gave us many particu- 
lars respecting the royalist army. Chatillon was 
taken, and all the parishes in the neighbourhood 
had joined the insurgents. The young man con- 
cluded by saying to Henri, <*Sir! they say you 
will have to draw to-morrow for the militia at 
Boisme. The peasants will probably rise, rather 
than submit to be drafted. Come with us ; the whole 
country wishes for you, and will obey you V Henri 
answered, without hesitation, that he would follow 
him. The peasant then told him it would be ne- 
cessary to take by-paths, and go round several 
leagues about, to avoid the patroles of the Blues, 
which was the name given by the peasants to the 
republican troops. M. de Lescure wished to ac- 
company his cousin, but we opposed it; and Henri 
represented that their situations were not the samej 



6U 

— he was not called upon to draw for the militia; 
— the peasants in his neighbourhood were not 
rising ; — he could not leave Clisson without en- 
dangering the fate of a numerous family ;— and 
that he did not know the actual state of the insur- 
rection. " I go," said he, " to examine things more 
nearly, and to see if there is any rational hope. My 
departure will not be remarked ; and if there be, 
in reality, any thing to be done for the cause, thea 
will be the time for you to act. At present it would 
be madness." We joined our prayers to these re- 
presentations, and M. deLescure at last reluctant- 
ly yielded to them. After this, Mademoiselle De- 
sessarts wished to prevent even Henri from going, 
and said to him, that it would most certainly involve 
all the inhabitants of Clisson, and occasion their 
being arrested. Henri replied he could oppose no- 
thing to such objections, and that he should be 
wretched were he to draw persecution upon us. On 
this M. de Lescure said to him, " Honour and your 
own principles made you resolve on going ; pursue 
your design. I feel already sufficiently miserable 
in not being able to follow you ; and never will 
the fear of a prison lead me to prevent you per- 
forming your duty." " Well ! I shall deliver you 
if you are arrested !" cried Henri, throwing liim- 
self in his arms. I then observed in him that ani- 
mated air, and eagle- look, which never left him 
afterwards. 

After this affecting scene, the Chevalier de 

told us he wished to set out with Henri, to join the 
f oyalists. Since the story of his intercepted letter. 



61 

fear had turned his head. After some other oh- 
jections, we begged him to consider that M. de 
Lescure had become answerable for him to the 
municipality, and that it would be wrong to sacri- 
fice him in this manner. 

The Chevalier wept ; — said we wished his death, 
and forced him to resist the will of God, who had 
inspired him with the desire, and given him ih% 
means of saving himself. He then, with clasped 
hands, entreated of M. de Lescure permission to 
go away. My husband granted it, from pity and 
disgust; but we were now troubled on Henri's 
account. The Chevalier was fifty years of age, and 
unwieldy. We saw he would retard his compa- 
nion ; that he would not be able to walk nine miles 
in the night across ditches and hedges, and would 
be the occasion of Henri falling into the hands of 
some patrole. ** When we hear a noise, he may 
save himself, and leave me." " Do you suppose 
I am such a poltroon as you are ?" replied Henri. 
" Shall I abandon any one who is with me ? It* 
we are discovered, I shall defend myself, and we 
shall either fall, or save ourselves together." The 
Clievalier then began kissing his hands, repeating, 
*^ He will defend me ! he will defend me V' 

At night, when tha domestics were all in bed, 
Henri, armed with a stick and a pair of pistols, set 

out, with one servant, the Cljevalier de , 

and the guide. 

On the Sunday fixed for the militia ballot, our 
people attended in town. We were at breakfast, 
when suddenly the cry " To arms*' was heard, and 



62 

tve saw twenty gendarmes gallop into the court. 
On going down to them, they read an order from 
the municipality, for the arrest of M. and Madame 
de Lescure, M. d'Auzon, and all other suspected 
persons found at Clisson. My father and mother 
declared they would follow me to prison, and per- 
sisted in this generous resolution in spite of our 
entreaties. M. de Marigny said likewise he was 
determined te share the fata of M. de Lescure. 

The gendarmes held their pistols. Two of them 
placed themselves by my side, and followed me 
step by step. I asked to be allowed to retire to my 
apartment to dress, desiring them, at the same time, 
to observe, that, if I had intended it, I could have 
fled, or concealed myself. M. d'Auzon, represent- 
ing that he was extremely ill, they permitted him 
to remain. When the gendarmes saw that we re- 
ceived them very civilly, that the chateau was in- 
habited by women and old men, and that all our 
people were gone to draw for the militia, they be- 
gan to soften. An expression of my mother's affect- 
ed them extremely. When I was pressing her not 
to follow me, a gendarme said to her, '^ At all 
events, Madame, it is necessary you should go, for 
the order includes all suspected persons.'' " You 
wish, then, to deprive me of the pleasure of sacri- 
ficing myself for my daughter !'' By degrees the 
gendarmes became friendly to us, and concluded 
by telling us that the order had been issued ten days 
before ; but it was thought the gendarmes of the 
country were not to be trusted with it, having shewn 
such unwillingness to the office. The municipality 



63 

had therefore waited the arrival of troops then ex- 
pected from a distance ; and, having come the 
evening before from Berry, they had received the 
order. They then expressed their regret at having 
to arrest people so beloved in the country, and their 
inclination to do what they conld for us. This 
good will, which they shewed more and more, was 
not purchased. None of us had a thought of offer- 
ing them money. 

They yoked the oxen to the carriage, and we all 
five set out, escorted by the gendarmes. On leaving 
the court, their officers said to them, " Citizens, I 
hope you will not fail to bear testimony to the rea- 
diness with which the order has been obeyed, and 
to the reception we have met with." 

When we arrived at the gate of Bressuire, many 
volunteers and the people began to cry, ^' Aristo- 
crats;^' but the gendarmes bid them be silent, say- 
ing that it would be well if all the citizens were 
as good as we were. The most part of the arrest- 
ed persons had been taken to the Chateau de la 
Foret-sur-Sevre, which was converted into a pri- 
son. The gendarmes had communicated their ap- 
prehensions respecting the safety of these prison- 
ers, as they feared a massacre. They promised 
to endeavour to procure permission for us to re- 
main at Bressuire. They, therefore, urgently re- 
quested the municipality to allow us to return to 
Clisson with guards. This was refused. They 
then solicited that we should at least be permitted 
to remain confined in the town. One of the muni- 
cipality, a very good man, and our grocer, offered 



6* 

to guard us in his bouse, to which they consented. 
M. de Lescure went himself to the mnnicipality. 
He was so much respected in the country, that the 
administrators looked embarrassed, and durst not 
say they wished to arrest him. They alleged the 
order had been given as much for his own safety as 
from any suspicions they might have, and that he 
could not complain, as they had not determined on 
the measure till long after all the other gentlemen 
had been arrested. My husband spoke with con- 
fidence, and demanded, if there were any positive 
charges against hintf that they should be brought 
forward. They said nothing to him of the Cheva- 
lier de — , nor of M. de Larochejaquelein. 

It was upon these points alone he could have been 
implicated. M. and Mademoiselle Desessarts 
had disguised themselves as servants, and were 
not arrested. My father aj^d mother might have 
done the same. 



65 



CHAPTER V. 



Retreat of the Army of Anjou. — Jin Advantage 
gained at Aubiers by M. de Larochejaqiielein. 
— TJie Army of Anjou repairs its losses. — wMas- 
sacres at Bressuire. — Tlie Republicans aban^ 
don the Town. — Arrival of M, de Larochejaque" 
Icin at Clisson. 



We were lodged five of us in two small rooms, 
in the house of the municipal officer. He enjoined 
us not to shew ourselves at the windows, nor to 
come down stairs ; iu short, to make ourselves be 
forgotten as much as possible. It is probable that 
this precaution saved our lives. We learnt that M. 
Thomassin had been arrested, and carried to the 
Chateau de la Foret. Two days after, the troop 
which was at Bressuire set out to attack the rebels 
at Aubiers. Two thousand five hundred men filed 
off under our windows, singing in chorus the Mar- 
seillaise hymn, whilst the drums beat. I never 
heard any thing more striking and terrible. These 
men had a warlike and animated appearance. The 
next day a rumour spread, that they had defeated 
the brigands, and that M. de Laroehejaquelein was 
besieged in his chateau of la Durbelliere. We 
passed a miserable day ; but in the evening, we saw 
the heroes of the preceding day returning in disor- 

I 



66 

der, calling out, " Help, citizens ! the brigands foU 
low us. Lights ! lights ! in your windows V The 
terror became so great, that General Quetinean, 
who commanded, never was able to place a senti- 
nel at the gate of the town. We began to hope, 
and to expect the royalists. 

Henri had arrived at the house of his aunt, after 
a painfal and perilous journey. Leaving the Che- 
valier de there, he proceeded with some 

young men from the environs of Chatillon, to the 
rebel army of Anjou. It was then near ChoUet 
and Chemilie. He arrived to witness a defeat, 
which made the insurgents retire to Tiffauges. 
MM. de Bonchamp and d^ElbeeJ who had for 
some time past commanded the army, Cathelineau, 
Stoffllet, and all tlie other chiefs, agreed in telling 
j.im that all was lost. They had only two pounds 
of powder, and the army was disbanding. Henri, 
penetrated with grief, returned alone to St. Auhin, 
He arrived there the very day that the Blues from 
Bressuire had reached Aubiers, and dispersed a 
small body, that for an instant had attempted to 
resist them. There was still no chief, nor point of 
union in these cantons. The peasants in the pa^ 
rishes unoccupied by republicans, hoisted the white 
flag, and went to join the army of Anjou. Henri 
imagined h^ could do nothing, but the peasants, 
hearing of his arrival, came in crowds, and en- 
treated he would put himself at their head. They 
assured him, he would reanimate the whole coun- 
try, and that in a single day he would have ten 
thousaiid men at his command. He did not hesi= 



tate, and declared himself their chief. During the 
night, the parishes of Aubiers, Neuil, St. Aubin, 
Echaubroignes, Cerqueux, d'Izernay, &c. sent their 
men, and the promised number was nearly com- 
pleted ; but the only arms these poor people had 
were sticks, pitchforks, and spits ! They had not 
above two hundred fire-arras, and these only fowl- 
ing-pieces. Henri, however, had discovered sixty 
pounds of gunpowder in the house of a mason^ 
which he had purchased for blowing up rocks. 
This was a treasure. 

M. de Larochejaquelein appeared, in the morn- 
ing, at the head of his peasants, and spoke thus to 
them : ^^ My friends, if my father were here, you 
would have confidence in him. I am but a boy 5 
but, by my courage, I shall shew myself worthy of 
commanding you. Follow me if I go forward ;— ^ 
kill me if I fly ; — avenge my death if I fall V' He 
was answered by loud acclamations. Before setting 
out, he wished to breakfast ; and, whilst some of 
the peasants had gone to seek white bread for their 
general, he took a piece of their brown loaf, and 
ate it heartily along with them. This simplicity, ia 
which there was no affectation, touched them ex 2 
tremely, without his being aware of it himself. 

Notwithstanding all their zeal, these poor peor- 
pie were a little frightened. The most part had 
never seen fire, others had witnessed defeat, and 
they saw themselves almost all unarmed. 

The troop, however, arrived at Aubiers, which 
the Blues had taken the evening before, and spread 
themselves around the village, marching behind 



68 

the hedges in silence. Henri, with a dozen of good 
marksmen, glided into a garden near the place 
where the republicans were. Concealed behind the 
hedge, he began to fire at them, the peasants sup- 
plying him with loaded guns. As he was a great 
sportsman, and very expert, almost all his shots 
told. He fired nearly two hundred, as did also a 
gardechasse that was beside him. The republi- 
cans, provoked at thus losing men without seeing 
their enemy, and supposing they were going to be 
attacked in line, made a movement to place them- 
selves in order of battle, on a height behind them. 
Henri seizing the moment, called out, " See them 
flying, my friends." The peasants believing it, im- 
mediately leaped from their concealments, calling 
out, " Vive le Roi !" The echoes augmented the 
noise, and the Blues, surprised by an attack so un- 
foreseen, and so strange, took to flight in disorder, 
abandoning two small pieces of cannon, their whola 
artillery. The Vendeens pursued them to within 
half a mile of Bressuire. Seventy of them were 
killed, and many wounded. 

Such was nearly, and particularly in the begin- 
ning of the war, the manner of fighting of the Ven- 
deens. Their tactics consisted in spreading them- 
selves silently behind the hedges around the troops 
of the Blues ; they then fired from all sides, and on 
the least hesitation, or at the first movement of the 
republicans, they rushed upon them with loud 
cries. The peasants first ran to the cannon. The 
strongest or most active were previously selected 
to seize promptly the artillery, " to jirevent its 



69 

doing harm,-' as they used to say among them- 
selves. They called to each other, " you are the 
strongest, get on the cannon." The chiefs always 
rushed the first to the attack. This was necessary 
to give courage to the soldiers, who were often a 
little intimidated at the beginning of the action. 
This manner of fighting will appear no doubt sin- 
gular, but it was adapted to the country. Besides, 
it must be remembered, that the peasants did not 
even know the exercise, and could hardly distin- 
guish their right hand from their left. Some of the 
officers were scarcely better. The commanders and 
generals knew little of the military art. They con- 
sisted of youths, church-students, citizens (bour- 
geois), and peasants. Yet it was those who, first 
by their courage and enthusiasm, and then by ta- 
lents which a short experience developed, made the 
republic tremble ! — conquered a part of France, — 
obtained an honourable peace, — and defended their 
cause with more glory and success than all the co- 
alesced powers ! 

Some facts will explain the success of the Ven- 
deens, and the very great difference between their 
loss of men, and that of the republicans. The pea^ 
sants, dispersed behind hedges, never exposed a 
front to the ravage of the enemy's fire. The troops 
of the line, without seeing their foes, fired accord- 
ing to custom at the height of a man. The peasant!} 
aimed, and rarely missed. Thus five men fell oa 
one side, to one upon the other. When the Blues 
were drawn up on more even ground, the peasants 
endeavoured to carry their point by greater rapidi- 



70 

iy. Their first efforts were always directed towards 
the cannon. As soon as the flash announced a dis- 
charge, they threw themselves on the ground to 
avoid it, then instantly rising, ran forward while 
the pieces were reloading, prostrating themselves 
again at each explosion ; and in this manner they 
reached the battery, and attacked the men hand to 
hand. These defeats were terrible for the republi- 
cans, who were soon lost in the labyrinths of the 
iBocage, without any clue to guide their retreat, 
and fell by small detachments into the hands of the 
peasants, or found themselves without knowing it, 
near a village, at the mercy of its inhabitants. 
When our people, on the contrary, had failed in 
an attack, they dispersed without the enemy being 
able to overtake them, leaped over hedges, took 
by-paths, and returned home, in the hope of mus- 
tering again in a few days, and being more success- 
ful. They were not discouraged, and repeated as 
they went, '^ Vive le Moi ! quand meme.^'^ 

But the great and principle cause of the first suc- 
cess in La Vendee, was the courage and devotion 
of the royalists. The republican troops were com- 
posed of raw volunteers, or national guards ; and 
enthusiasm did not supply in them ability and ex- 
perience as among our brave peasants. It was nei- 
ther their own will, nor the desire of defending 
their religion, their children, or their chief, that 

* ^uand nieme mGBiJia here notwithstanding. This by- 
word has been adopted on a late occasion by the royalist 
-parly in the Chamber of Deputies.— TransZaior. 



71 

bad inlisted the soldiers of the republic. Requisi= 
tions, and measures of terror, had filled their ranks; 
they, indeed, often fought reluctantly. Their gene- 
rals received, without ceasing, contradictory orders, 
from the administrators or commissaries, and they 
were often displaced without reason, as they had 
heen appointed without merit. Weakness and in- 
capacity presided in all their councils, as much as 
cruelty and injustice. 

After the engagement at Aubiers, we expected 
that the rebels would follow up their successes, and 
reach Bressuire ; but Henri thought it was neces- 
sary first to extricate the army of Anjou out of the 
desperate situation in which he had left it. 

He travelled all nisjht to overtake MM. de Bon- 
champ and d'Elbee ; and carried them reinforce- 
ments, and also the cannon and ammunition he had 
taken. 

The parishes of Anjou began to assemble again 
with fresh ardour, and, when the army was suffi- 
ciently strong, attacked the Blues, and fought them 
every where. Chollet, Chemille, and all the pla- 
ces they had quitted, were retaken without much 
loss. M. de Bonchamp was slightly wounded in 
one of these engagements. For some time after the 
overthrow at Aubiers, agitation and disturbances 
reigned in Bressuire, and among the republican 
troops. A reinforcement of four hundred Mar- 
seillais arrived there, and insisted on putting the 
prisoners to death. They marched to the prison, 
and in spite of the orders of General Quetineau, 
and^the resistance of all the authorities; they seized 



7S 

eleven unfortunate peasants, who had been taken 
in their beds some days before, because they were 
suspected of a correspondence with the rebels. 
These poor men passed under our windows, on 
their way to execution. When there, they were 
drawn up in a line, and the commandant of the 
Marseillais asked, if any persons were desirous of 
joining the soldiers in the execution ? This excit- 
ed horror in the inhabitants of the country, yet some 
people from St. Jean d'Angely chose to join the 
Marseillais. The mayor of Bressuire still attempt- 
ed to save the victims, but he was seized and car- 
ried off. They cut down the peasants with their 
sabres, who received death on their knees in prayer, 
and repeating "Vive le Roi!'' 

We expected a similar death ! It appeared im- 
possible to avoid it. But happily the Marseillais 
were ignorant of our retreat, and the patriots of 
Bressuire and the country were incapable of betray- 
ing us. Our host, in particular, was full of zeal 
aud anxiety for our safety. Two or three days af- 
ter, he brought us one of the commissaries of the 
department, a foolish and talkative young man, but 
who seemed to favour us. He said, that the war 
had rendered the arrest of the nobles (gentry) ne- 
cessary, but that it was not him who had wished 
to take this step towards us, although it had been 
thought extraordinary to see persons at liberty so 
naturally suspected as we were. He added, that 
the war was near a conclusion; that the woods and 
inclosures were to be razed, the inhabitants deci- 
mated, and the rest sent into the interior of France- 



♦* It is unpleasant/' added he, " to come to tliis 
determination, but we are forced to it by the fanati- 
cism of the peasants, who, in other respects, are 
good people. There is no instance in this country 
of a tenant deceiving his landlord.'' He further 
said, '* Was it not a son of M. de Larochejaque- 
lein who commanded at Aubiers ? Do you know 
him?" <" Yes," answered M. de Lescure. — "He 
is your relation too ?" " He is." I trembled du- 
ring this dialogue; but the unembarrassed and cool 
manner of M. de Lescure prevented any suspicion 
in the commissary, who besides had come from 
Niort, and did not know that Henri had lived at 
Clisson. 

There was so much alarm in the town and army, 
that nobody thought of us. The confusion that pre- 
vailed in all the proceedings, and in the public 
mind, saved us as by a miracle. Every moment 
troops were arriving, and sometimes a panic seized 
the inhabitants. These were our happy moments. 
We hoped the town was on the point of being ta-, 
ken, and threw aside all idea of the danger we might 
run in the attack 1 M. de Lescure had no other 
expectation of deliverance, and looked for it as a 
means of joining the royalist army, and even wish- 
ed to anticipate the moment, by escaping from 
Bressuire. He could not bear the idea of being 
kept inactive, and certainly had they transferred us 
to Niort, as was spoken of, he would rather have 
died than been led there, and thus have lost the 
hope he had in the promises of Henri. It was du- 
ring this crisis we saw the Abbe Desessarts arrive. 

K 



He was arrested at Poitiers, owing to the discovery 
of a correspondence with an emigrant, and the re- 
presentatives of the people gave him his choice be- 
tween death or enrolling himself in a regiment. He 
put on the uniform, and was sent to Bressuire ; then 
secretly came to see us, and concerted with my 
husband the means of rejoining the Vendeens, 
It was decided, however, that they would not thus 
hazard, either their own lives or ours, unless we 
should be transferred to Niort. 

Every night there were new arrests. Citizens 
suspected of aristocracy, and doubtful patriots, 
were imprisoned. They were on the point of mak- 
ing the generous mayor, who had opposed the mas- 
sacre, share the same fate. Amidst increasing per- 
secutions. Providence continued to preserve us. 

Whilst every day added to our fears, a new in- 
cident occurred to redouble them. My mother re- 
ceived, by post, a letter from an emigrant priest in 
Spain, saying, in a very ill concealed manner, that 
a counter revolution was infallible, and that she 
might make herself easy. 

The very next day our letters were opened at 
the post-office, and sent us unsealed. We trembled 
lest a similar one to that of the priest's should ar- 
rive> and we were not even certain that it had not 
been read. 

During this period, efforts for recruiting were 
continued in the parishes, which had not yet risen, 
but, so far from succeeding, they only augmented 
the number of rebels. The peasants were inflexi- 
ble on this point 5 nothing could make them submit 



75 

to the drafting. I shall cite two examples which 
took place^ near the conclusion of our stay at Bres- 
imire. 

The little parish of Beaulieu received notice of 
the day on which the drafting was to take place. 
When the day arrived, not a single man was to be 
found in the village ; the women alone remained. 
It was signified to them, that if the men did not re- 
turn by the next day, the village should be burnt. 
The next day the houses were found deserted, and 
not a woman or child was to be seen. The village 
was burnt to the ground. After this terrible exe- 
cution, they summoned in the same manner the 
parish of Saint-Sauveur. But notwithstanding the 
example of Beaulieu, all the inhabitants disappear- 
ed, except the mayor, who remained with some 
women, to attempt saving the village. They ar- 
rested him, and were on the point of setting fire to 
it, when they were stopped by learning that the 
royalists were near Bressuire. 

On the first of May 1793, the agitation and dis- 
order increased at Bressuire, in consequence of a 
report that the brigands had attacked Argenton-le- 
ChS,teau ; in the evening it was known they had 
succeeded, and were directing their course towards 
Bressuire, and within three leagues of it. The 
troops were put under arms, but so panic-struck^ 
that General Quetineau found great difficulty in 
forcing the cavalry to reconnoitre. A few horse- 
men went a short way, and returned precipitately, 
gaying they had seen at a distance a column of the 
enemy. On Quetineau going himself, he discover^ 



76 

ed it was a peasant ploughing his field with eight 
oxen ! Through the nighty the fears of the republi- 
cans increased every moment, and the expectation 
of being either massacred or carried away, kept us 
in agonising terrors. At last, at break of day, the 
troops began to evacuate the town silently. Gene- 
ral Quetineau, seeing the disposition of his soldiers, 
determined to retreat to Thouars. He had five 
thousand men, but he could not depend on them 
for the defence of Bressuire, the walls of which 
were in ruins. The castle stood in a good situa- 
tion, but it was also in a state of dilapidation, as 
it had never been repaired since Duguesclin had 
taken it by assault from the English. 

The retreat was tumultuous. In order that it 
might not be retarded, and from want of better 
means to carry off ammunition, Quetineau had di< 
rected that each soldier should take four balls in 
his knapsack, but they left almost the whole at 
Bressuire. The military chest even had been left 
behind, and a detachment came back to fetch it. 
Almost all the colours were abandoned. A great 
part of the Marseillais deserted. Most of the in- 
habitants followed General Quetineau, or fled to the 
neighbouring towns. During this retreat we ex- 
pected our fate, not supposing we could be over- 
looked entirely. Our window-shutters were closed, 
and every time we heard a company halt before our 
door, we believed they came to seize us. At last, 
by degrees, the town became deserted, without 
their having thought of us, and we remained 

fiTC. 



77 

The prisoners of La Foret had heen carried to 
Niort, and thence to Angoiileme, but none of them 
were killed. Our host came and begged of us to 
gi-ant him an asylum at Clisson. He feared the 
town would be burned and sacked by the royal- 
ists, in revenge for the massacre of prisoners twice 
repeated at Bressuire, latterly by the Marseillais. 
He told M. de Lescure that the brigands loved the 
noblesse, and respected their dwellings. Many 
other inhabitants solicited the same favour. M. 
de Lescure said he would be happy to receive all 
who came to him, but that he could not conceive 
what advantage they could hope for in choosing that 
retreat. He then sent to Clisson for carts to con- 
vey the effects of those to whom he granted an 
asylum. 

At eleven o'clock we were informed that the 
town was completely evacuated, and almost totally 
abandoned. We descended, and traversed the 
streets, where we saw only some women in tears. 
After passing the gates, M. de Lescure and 1, leav- 
ing behind us my father and mother, who walked 
more leisurely, took by-paths, and arrived alone at 
Clisson. It is almost impossible to conceive what 
our feelings were on this deliverance ! We could 
hardly credit the reality ! We found at Clisson 
MM. Desessarts, D'Auzon, &c. The Abbe De- 
sessarts, who since has always called himself Le 
Chevalier, had found means to desert, and joined 
us the same day. The Chateau was also filled 
with fugitives from Bressuire. Towards the mid- 
dle of the day we received intelligence that the 



78 

royalists liad changed their direction, and were 
not marching to Bressuire. M. de Leseure de- 
termined immediately on sending round to all the 
neighbouring parishes to inform the peasants of 
an appointed place of rendezvous, and where they 
should find leaders. He then set out instantly for 
Chatillon, to obtain there ammunition and rein- 
forcements, so as to occupy Bressuire before the 
Blues could return. 

We began to make all the preparations. M. de 
Leseure had not communicated his designs except 
to M. de Marigny, the Chevalier Desessarts, aud 
me. My parents had the same sentiments, but 
they had not the same youthful ardour. We con* • 
cealed ourselves from them, fearing their objec- 
tions and remonstrances. We four shut ourselves up 
in an apartment : and although the chateau was 
full of patriot refugees, the gentlemen practised the 
exercise, and I made white cockades. 

About four o'clock M. de Leseure went to tell 
my mother that all the preparations were ready for 
escorting the women to Chatillon. " But if the 
patriots return to Bressuire," said she, " what will 
become of us?" — ^^ By dawn to-morrow," replied 
M. de Leseure, " I shall be master of Bressuire. 
Forty parishes revolt this night by my orders."-r- 
"'^ Ah!" cried my mother, sinking back, <^ we are 
lost!" She represented to him that he had not 
taken these measures with prudence or delibera' 
tion ; that he was ignorant of the position of either 
the royalist or republican armies ; — that probably 
there would be messengers from Parthenay to ar- 



79 

rest us ; — and that the parishes would rise without 
doubt, but with no chance of success if left to them- 
selves. M. de Lescure would not listen to these 
observations, for he had suffered too much by re- 
maining passively at home, and by having, in con- 
sequence of our first entreaties, delayed so long 
joining the revolt. He derived hope from the ter- 
ror he had observed among the republican troops ; 
as to his family he thought he could find a place 
of safety for them ; and, finally, it appeared to him 
that if all the possible chances were so accurately 
weighed, no resistance to oppression could ever be 
undertaken! Once begun, it must be carried 
through ; reason and courage then reconcile us 
with necessity ; but a certain degree of daring te- 
merity is requisite at first ; self-devotion and en- 
thusiasm must have the lead, and are, in fact, tli^ 
true foundation of such enterprises. 

MM. de Lescure and de Marigny set out, 
mounted on excellent horses. Scarce were they 
gone, when I saw a patriot from Bressuire steal 
trembling into the Chateau, repeating, " They are 
there! they are there !'^ "Who?" " Tlie bri- 
gands are at Bressuire," replied he. Leaving the 
patriot to lament with the other towns-people, I 
sent instantly after M. de Lescure, who found me, 
on his return, conversing with the terrified patriots. 
At the same moment, one of the fanners, who had 
gone for their effects, came back from Bressuire, 
and said that the brigands had taken his oxen, but 
that, on learning that they belonged to M. de Les- 
cure., they said they would restore them, gn a note 



80 

from him. " I see you were right," said M. de 
Lescure, smiling, to the people of Bressuife. ** I 
perceive the brigands have indeed a liking for us 
gentry. I shall send for my oxen, and save your 
property at the same time. You may remain here 
without apprehension." 

After their second departure, le^s hazardous 
than the first, I reflected that, if the royalists should 
arrive without M. de Larochejaquelein at their 
head, they might be displeased with finding the 
chateau full of patriots. To guard against this, I 
first made all the refugees take off their cockades, 
observing, that it would not be prudent to shew 
signs of particular opinion, when not prepared to 
defend them. I then placed them all in a wing of 
the chateau, with injunctions to remain quiet. My 
father and mother were with my aunt, who was ill; 
and, having ordered every one to keep within 
doors, fearing some imprudence, I happened to be 
alone in the court, more from agitation than cou- 
rage, when I heard the galloping of horses, and 
cries of "Vive le Roi!" It was M. de Lescure 
and M. de Marigny returning with M. de Laroche- 
jaquelein; they had met on the way with three 
other horsemen. At the sound of " Vive le Roi" 
all the inhabitants of the chateau poured out. Hen- 
ri threw himself into our arms, with tears in his 
eyes, and calling out, "I have then delivered you !" 
During this joy, the patriots of Bressuire opened 
gently their door, and saw, to their great surprise, 
that it was ourselves, and all the people of the cha- 
teau, who repeated, « Vive le Roi !" M. de Les- 



81 

cure told their story to Henri, who said, the asy- 
lum was indeed well chosen, and that they had 
done most wisely, to shelter themselves from the 
brigands in their own chateau/ We then offered to 
embrace some of the women, to reconcile them to 
the brigands ; but they looked upon us as a species 
of monsters ! We were all in a state of ecstasy. 

Henri gave us many particulars respecting the 
army, praising, above all, the valour and enthu- 
siasm of the peasants. We learned that there 
were several corps of rebels, commanded by diffe- 
rent chiefs ; that almost all were successful, but 
that no regular correspondence existed between 
them. He told us also, that M. de Charre.tte, one 
of the principal leaders, had surprised L'lle de 
Noirmoutier. We asked how they had procured 
ammunition. He told us, that, at the attack of 
Argenton, each cannon could only fire three times, 
but they had found powder there, and had then twelve 
charges, and had never before been so rich. These 
details, which previously would have been terrify- 
ing, now heightened our joy. Even my mother 
herself said, there ought now to be no hesitation;, 
and that it was the duty of every gentleman to take 
arms. The traits of bravery among the peasants, 
related by Henri, filled us with admiration, and I 
gave myself up to hope with all the eagerness of 
youth. 

Henri introduced to us a young man who accom- 
panied him, M. Forestier. He was the son of a 
shoemaker of Cliaudron, but had been brought up 
by M. de Dommaigne, and followed liim from the 

L 



8@ 

l)egimiing of the insurrection. He was seventeen, 
extremely handsome, and had just finished his stu- 
dies. Henri said he was an officer in the Vendeeii 
cavalry, very brave, and much esteemed by all the 
officers and soldiers. 

M. de Leseure, Henri, and M. Forestier, set out 
Soon after for Bressuire. M. de Leseure was ea- 
ger to join the generals, and to be acquainted with 
them. My father, MM. de Marigny and Deses- 
sarts, were also to join them the next day. It was 
agreed that my mother and I, the women and old 
men, should leave Clisson, and remove to the Cha- 
teau de la Boulaye, belonging to M. d'Auzon, situ- 
ated in the parish of Mallievre, between Herbiers 
and Chatillon, in the centre of the insurfi;ent coun- 
try. 



SB 



CHAPTER VI. 

The Vendeens occupy Br essuire.'-^ Account of the 
Royalist Army. 

Early in the raorning I received a note from 
M. de Lescure, desiring me to expect him witli 
Henri and twenty. four dragoons at Clisson. Tiiey 
brought with them the Chevalier de Beauvolliers, 
a young man of eighteen, who had been inlisted by 
force at Loudun, and sent to Bressuire. In the 
evening on which the town was evacuated, he found 
means of quitting his corps, and galloped full speed 
to carry the intelligence to the rebels. His gen- 
darme uniform procured him a bad reception from 
the first soldiers he met ; but a peasant officer, who 
was among them, was more disposed to trust him. 
M. de BeauvoUiers proposed to him to go and cut 
down the tree of liberty at Bressuire. The peasant 
said, " Come along then ; but if you deceive me, I 
shall blow your brains out." " Agreed," answer- 
ed M. de B. " for I am neither a traitor nor a pol- 
troon." He was full of bravery and gentleness, 
and became aid-de-camp and intimate friend of M. 
de Lescure. None of the other dragoons who came 
with these gentlemen had any military or very re- 



spectable appearance. Their horses were of all 
colours and sizes ; some had pack-saddles, with 
ropes for stirrups ; wooden shoes for boots, pistols 
at their girdles, with guns and sabres, suspended 
by pack-threads ! Some had white cockades, others 
black or green ! All of them, however, had a con- 
secrated heart sewed upon their coats, and a chap- 
let hanging at their buttons. In contempt of the 
Blues, they had fastened to their horses' tails tri- 
coloured cockades, and epaulettes taken from them. 
The officers were a little better equipped than the 
soldiers, but had no distinguishing mark. This 
troop came for the purpose of shewing themselves 
at the gates of Parthenay^, that the march of the 
army towards Thouars might be the better con- 
cealed. 

The soldiers sat down to breakfast ; the pea- 
sants from the neighbouring parishes crowded from 
all parts to join them. Women came with hatchets 
in their hands, after having cut down the tree of 
liberty. The chateau was full of people, who ate^ 
drank, sung, and repeated with acclamations, 
^^ Vive le Roi !" Meanwhile M. de Lescure in- 
formed us, that he had been received with open 
urms at Bressuire : That he was considered as the 
chief of all the parishes in the Canton, and ap- 
pointed one of the council of war. My father, MM. 
de Marigny and Desessarts, were expected with 
impatience. Good officers were much in request, 
as the army was very deficient in that respect. 

In the midst of this conversation, we heard a 
riolent tumult in the court. The Vendeens had 



85 

tied their horses there, and, according to custom, 
left no sentinels. Three inhabitants of Bressuirc, 
whose wives were sheltered at Clisson, had come 
for them. They were in the uniform of the national 
guard, well armed, and on horseback. Seeing so 
many horses in the court, they imagined, without 
examination, that a detachment from Parthenay 
had come to carry us away ; and on meeting a ser- 
vant boy of fifteen, addressed him with, ^* Good 
day, citizen." The child called out, '^ There are 
no citizens here. Vive le Roi ! To arms ! See the 
Blues !" Instantly the peasants rushed furiously out 
with their sabres. My father and 1 ran, and threw 
ourselves between them and the three men they 
were going to attack. We explained to the pea- 
sants that these men only came to carry away their 
wives, who w ere now on their knees supplicating 
mercy ; but they would listen to nothing, till M. de 
Larochejaquelein addressed them. While he spake^ 
we made the three men enter the house, change 
their dress, and put on the white cockade ; but, to 
calm the peasants, they were obliged to spit upon 
the tri-coloured cockade, and call out, " Vive le 
Roi !" Towards mid-day M. de Lescure and Henri 
set out for Parthenay, and we for Bressuirc ; giving 
permission to the refugee patriots to remain at Clis- 
sou as long as they should consider themselves 
more in safety there than elsewhere. They were 
honest and peaceable people. 

We went in a carriage escorted by armed ser- 
vants, and, as we drew near the town, perceived 
the Vendeeus. They knew who we were, and be 



gan to call out "Vive le Roi!" We repeated it 
with them, shedding tears of joy. I perceived aboiii 
fifty on their knees at the foot of a crucifix. No- 
thing interrupted their devotion. 

The town was occupied by about twenty thou- 
sand men, but of whom not more than six thousand 
had fire-arms. The rest carried scythes fixed 
on handles, (a frightful looking weapon,) blades of 
knives, sickles fixed on sticks, spits, or great mas- 
sy clubs of knotted wood. All the peasants were 
intoxicated with joy, and believed themselves in- 
vincible. The streets were full, the bells rung, and 
they had made a bonfire in the square with the 
tree of liberty, and the papers of the administra- 
tion. 

The gentlemen went to seek the generals, and I 
walked about the town with my maids. The pea- 
sants asked me if I had been at Bressuire before. 
I told them of my having been a prisoner there, 
and how they had delivered me. They were all 
happy to have saved a lady. They told me the emi- 
grants were going to return, and assist them in re- 
storing their king and their religion. They then 
desired to shew me Marie-Jeanne, a twelve poun- 
der, from the Chateau de Richelieu, where it had 
originally been placed by the cardinal with five 
others. It was of very fine workmanship, and load- 
ed with ornaments and inscriptions to the glory of 
Louis XIII. and the Cardinal. The republicans 
had taken this cannon from Richelieu, to employ 
it against the brigands, by whom it was captured 
in the first engagement at ChoUet. This cannoiii 



87 

had received, for I know not what reason, the 
name of Marie-Jeanne ; was supposed to possess 
some miraculous power, and looked upon as a sure 
pledge of victory. I found it adorned with flowers 
and ribbands. The peasants embraced it, and re- 
quested me to do so likewise, with which I com- 
plied most willingly. 

There were thirteen other pieces of different ca- 
libres. In the evening I was both surprised and 
edified to see all the soldiers who lodged in the 
same house with us kneel, and repeat a prayer, 
which one of them read aloud. I understood they 
never failed to perform tliis devotion three times a 
day. 

Their bravery and enthusiasm had not destroy- 
ed their natural mildness ; and their love and re- 
spect for religion, tliough not much enlightened, 
promoted this disposition. In the first months of 
the war, before the atrocities of the republicans 
had excited the desire of revenge, or suggested the 
necessity of reprisals, the Vendeen army was as 
excellent by its virtues, as admirable for its va- 
lour. And even after the cruelties of the republi- 
cans, similar excesses did not often stain the victo- 
ries of the royalists. Though they took towns by 
storm, they neither pillaged nor maltreated the 
vanquished, nor did they exact either ranisoms or 
contributions ; the inhabitants of the country, at 
least, were never guilty of these excesses. 

Some young Breton deserters, Avho had passed 
tlic Loire, to evade the recruiting, and, therefore, 
could not draw their subsistence from their homes, 



88 

were not always as irreproachable, but tliey were 
severely puiiisiied. In the divisions of Bas Poitou, 
and the comity of Nantes^ things were not tiius 
managed, and some disorders were committed. 

During the day I passed at Bressuire, I could 
observe these characteristic features in the Ven- 
deen soldiers. They detested the town, from the 
massacres that had been committed in it by the 
troops ; yet never thought of doing the least injnry 
to an inhabitant, only demolishing tlie external 
walls of the town. In the house where we were 
lodged, and in the very apartment I was in, there 
were many soldiers. I heard them lamenting the 
want of tobacco, and asked whether there was 
none in the town. They replied, "There is plenty 
to be sold, but we have no money.'' I sent, and 
supplied them. Two dragoons quarrelled in the 
street, under our windows. One of them drew his 
sabre, and wounded tlie other slightly, the latter 
was going to return the stroke, when my father 
stopped his arm, saying, '^ Jesus Christ pardoned 
bis murderers, shall a soldier of the catholic army 
take a^vay the life of his comrade ?'' They instant- 
ly desisted, and embraced each other ! I never 
heard of any duels in our army. No one ever 
thought of displaying his courage, but against the 
enemy. 

The army who occupied Bressuire was compos- 
ed of parishes bordering on Anjou, which, joined 
to those which M. de Lescure had raised, formed 
the Grand Army. Generally it had about 20,000 
men, but on important occasions it could easily be 



89 

doubled. This army Iiad most enemies to encoun- 
ter, and met with the greatest successes. It acted 
generally in concert with the division of M. de 
Bonchamp, which might be considered as forming 
a part of it. This division belonged to the parishes 
that border on the Loire, near Saint Florent. The 
Bretons, who crossed the river, joined it. It con- 
sisted of 10,000 or 12,000 men. They were mostly 
opposed to the republicans who occupied Angers. 

M. de Charrette commanded in the marsh along 
the coast. He had 20,000 men at most, and had to 
oppose the garrisons of Nantes and Sables. In 
the same districts there were three or four small 
bodies commanded by MM. de la Catheliniere, 
Jolly, and Savin, acting often in concert with M, 
de Charrette. M. de Royrand occupied Montaigu, 
and the adjacent districts. His division consisted 
of 1S,000 men, opposed to the troops stationed at 
Lu§on. Between Nantes and Montaigu^ MM. de 
Lyrot, and d'Isigny, had three or four thousand 
men, and had to defend the country on the side of 
Nantes. 

The grand army was supported by these divi- 
sions behind, but it had to defend. a very extensive 
line, and was unprotected to the north and to the 
south. The republicans could attack it from Fon- 
tenay, Parthenay, Airvault, Thouars, Vihiers, 
Doue, and Brissac ; 9-nd it successively carried and 
occupied these towns. 

No general had yet been appointed. The sol- 
diers followed the chiefs in whom they had confi- 

M 



90 

dence, and these managed veiy welbamoltig them- 
selves, without any reference to military rank. 

M. de Bonchampj chief of the army of Anjou, 
was thirty- two years of age, and had served with 
distinction in India, under M. de Suffren. His 
valour and talents were unquestioned ; he was con- 
sidered as one of the most able of the chiefs ; and 
liis troops as the best disciplined. He had no am- 
bition, no pretensions, was gentle, of an easy tem- 
per, much loved by the army, and possessing its 
confidence. But he had the misfortune of being 
wounded in most of the engagements, and tht army 
often deprived of his presence. Owing to this cir- 
cumstance, I never happened to see him. 

There were excellent officers in his division ; the 
two de Fleurions, who were old military men, and 
supplied his place when absent ; MM. Soyer, Mar- 
tin, and M. de Scepaux, brother-in-law to M. de 
Bonchamp, &c. all brave, and devoted to the cause. 

In the grand army, the principal chief at this 
time was M. d'Elbee, who commanded particular- 
ly the people around Chollet and Beaupreau. He 
had been a sub-lieutenant, and retired for some 
years, was forty, of a small stature, extremely de- 
vout, enthusiastic, and possessed an extraordinary 
and calm courage. His vanity, however, was easi- 
ly wounded, which made him irritable, although 
ceremoniously polite. He had some ambition, but 
narrow, as well as all his views. His tactics con- 
sisted in rushing on with these words, ^^ My friends, 
Providence will give us the victory." His piety 
was very sincere, but as he saw it was a means of 



91 

attacliing and animating the peasants, lie carried it 
to a degree of aifectation and charlatanry, often ri- 
diculous. He had about his person images of saints, 
read sermons and exhortations to the soldiers, and, 
above all, spoke incessantly of Providence, and to 
such a degree, that the peasants, much as they loved, 
him, and respected, every thing connected with re- 
ligion, called him, without meaning a joke, '^^ Ge- 
neral Providence 4^' In spite of these little foibles, 
M. d'Elbee was in reality so estimable and virtu- 
ous a man, that he inspired every one with respect 
and attachment. 

Stofflet was at the head of the parishes on the 
side of Maulevrier. He was from Alsace, and had 
served in a Swiss regiment. Since the revolt be- 
gan, he had been garde-chasse of the chateau 
Maulevrier. He was a large and musculai' man, 
forty years of age. The soldiers did not like him, 
as he was harsh and absolutely brutal, but they 
obeyed him better than any other officer, which ren- 
dered him extremely useful. He Avas active, intel- 
ligent, and brave, and the generals had great confi- 
dence in him. Since that period he has discovered 
a foolish and unbounded ambition, which injured 
himself and the army ; but at that time, as at all 
others, he was devoted to the cause without think- 
ing of himself. 

Cathelineau, aged thirty-four, commanded the 
people of Pin, in M iiige, and its environs. He 
was, as I said before, a simple peasant, who had 
for some time been a pedlar, in the woollen trade. 
Never was there a more gentle, modest, or virtuous 



Q2 

mail;, perfectly unassuming, and commanding tlie 
more respect on that account. He possessed a very 
superior understanding, a powerful eloquence, and 
natural talents for war. The peasants adored him, 
and felt towards him the most profound respect. 

His reputation for piety was such, that the sol- 
diers called him " The Saint of Anjon,^^ and 
placed themselves, when they could, near him in 
battle, imagining that they could not be wounded 
at the side of so holy a man. 

When M. de Lescure was with the army, he 
was also called ^^ The Saint of Poitou,^^ and they 
felt for him, as for Cathelineau, a sort of religious 
veneration. 

M. de Larochejaquelein was chief of the parishes 
around Chatillon. His courage was ardent and 
rash, which acquired him the title of The Intrepid. 
In battle he had a just and quick eye ; his measures 
were prompt and able, and he always inspired the 
soldiers with ardour and confidence ; but he was 
blamed for exposing himself to danger without ne- 
cessity, going too far, often engaging in personal 
combat with the enemy, and pursuing him, when 
defeated, without any regard to his own safety. He 
was thought to attend too little to the discussions of 
the council of war. In reality, he found them often 
idle and useless, and was apt to fall asleep after 
having delivered his opinion. To these charges 
he only answered, ^^ Why was I made a general? 
My only wish is to be a hussar, that I may have 
the pleasure of fighting V 



93 

Notwithstanding this natural taste for fighting, 
he was full of gentleness and humanity ; and the 
battle over, felt nothing but pity for the vanquished. 
In taking a prisoner, he sometimes offered to fight 
him singly. 

The bravery of M. de Lescure did not resemble 
his cousin's, for it never betrayed him out of his 
habitual coolness ; and even when he shewed teme- 
rity, he never ceased to be calm and collected. He 
was the best informed officer in the army, for hav- 
ing always had a taste for military studies, he had 
pursued them with zeal. He was familiar with all 
the publications on tactics, and he alone understood 
something of fortification. When the entrenchments 
of the republicans were to be attacked, his advico 
was always deemed necessary. Although so much 
loved and respected, he was thought tenacious of 
his opinions. But in his humanity, there was some- 
thing angelic and wonderful ! In a war in which the 
generals were soldiers, and fought frequently man 
to man, no one ever received death from the hand 
of M. de Lescure. Never did he allow, when in 
his power to prevent it, a prisoner to perish or be ill 
treated ; even when the horrible massacres of the 
republicans tempted the mildest of our officers to 
retaliate. A man once fired close to his breast ; 
putting aside the gun, he said, " take away this 
prisoner;" but the enraged peasants killed him in- 
stantly. He had never been seen so angry on any 
occasion, nor had an oath ever escaped from him 
before. The number of lives he saved was asto- 
nishing, and his memory is cherished and vene 



04 

rated by all parties tlirougliout La Vendee. Of all 
those who distinguished themselves in this war,, 
none acquired a purer glory. 

MM. de Larochejaquelein and de Lescure were 
united as brothers. Their names were always men- 
tioned together, and their friendship was celebrated 
through the whole army. With diiferent characters, 
they had the same simplicity, the same gentleness, 
the same absence of ambition or vanity. Henri 
said, << If we re-establish the King upon the throne, 
he will grant me a regiment of hussars.'' The 
wishes of M. de Lescure were not less modest. 

My father harl not at first any particular com- 
mand, although he was a Marechal-de-Camjp, and 
seen service in Germany. A stranger to the coun- 
try, he did not desire to be a general in chief, but 
Only to do his duty in the army. He was much re- 
spected in the council, but meddled little, and he 
anticipated the deplorable issue of the war. He 
cared so little about making himself of consequence, 
that when he arrived at Bressuire, and M. d'Elbee 
said to him, with an air of protectiorif that he 
would take care the King should know of those 
who deserved reward ; and that he possessed pow- 
erful interest by means of a relation of his who 
was Master of the Horse to the Prince of Conde ; 
my father did not even let him know that he had 
passed all his life at Court, and never thought of 
turning into ridicule the offers of M. d'Elbee, sim- 
ply answering, that he wished nothing but the ho- 
nour of serving the King. 



95 

M. de Marigny was appointed general of the 
artillery, and understood perfectly this branch of 
the military art. During the war with England he 
had been engaged in many disembarkations, and 
had more experience than most of the officers, but 
with great bravery, his heat and rashness made 
him often lose his judgment, and injure the cause^ 
to which, however, his talents had been still more 
frequently useful. To this impetuosity, also, must 
be attributed his severity and inhumanity towards 
the vanquislied. He scarcely ever spared them, 
and was deaf to our expostulations, thinking it was 
useful to the party. To this idea, firmly establish- 
ed in his mind, the cruelties of a man hitherto so 
good natured, must be attributed. He always was 
kind to our soldiers. 

M. Dommaigne was general of the cavalry, and 
was a brave and worthy man. 

M. de Boisy was always considered as one of 
our generals, though prevented by bad health from 
being very useful. M. Duhoux d'Hautrive, bro- 
ther-in-law to M. d'Elbee, and Chevalier de St. 
Louis, also a good officer, was not frequently 
with the army. Many officers, even among those 
who shewed some talents, had no distinct place in 
the army, but fought where they happened to be 
wanted, and did whatever they were ordered. The 
principal of these were, MM. Forestier, Tonnelay, 
Forfet, Villeneuve du Cazeau, the brothers of Ca- 
thelineau, le Chevalier Duhoux, le Chevalier De- 
sessarts, MM. Gnignard, Odaly, the brothers Ca- 
di, Bourasseau; &c. 



96 

Some of them were gentlemen, others only citi- 
zens or peasants. To these officers many others 
were often joined. All who had formerly served in 
the army, every gentleman or well informed man ; 
every one in whom the peasants shewed confi- 
dence ; every soldier who discovered bravery or 
intelligence ; were officers by right. The generals 
gave them a commission, and they did their best. 
A body of officers, thus composed, were not likely 
to act well together, and the service might be sup- 
posed to have been a scene of dissensions and mis- 
understandings 5 but the absence of all precise 
rules arose from their being superfluous, or even 
hurtful. There existed a mutual and perfect confi. 
dence among them ; they had the same object in 
view, the same devotedness ; each individual per- 
formed the utmost in his power without any need 
of his duty being strictly prescribed to him. Vani- 
ty and ambition were scarcely distinguishable ; and 
as there were engagements with the enemy almost 
every day, very little time remained for disputes 
and the display of pretensions. If ambitious hopes 
were formed, they were so remote that it would 
have been ridiculous to speak of them. The differ- 
ences of personal rank and birth were forgotten. A 
brave peasant, the tradesman of a small town, 
were brothers in arms to a gentleman. They en- 
countered the same dangers, led the same life, 
were almost dressed in the same manner, and con- 
versed on the same topics common to all ;-^his 
equality was real, and perfectly free from affecta* 
tion. 



97 

There were originally different shades of opi- 
nion among the officers respecting the Revolution ; 
and they had not all begun at the same period to 
detest it ; but being now all agreed on the same 
point, and having all shewn the same zeal, the 
mere date of their opinions could not be an object 
of invidious distinction among them. 

Such was, with a few exceptions, the character 
of the chiefs and officers in tiie beginning of the 
war. The formation and discipline of the array 
presented a state of things no less peculiar. The 
army was never assembled for more than three or 
four days together. Whether the battle was gain- 
ed or lost, the object effected or no*, nothing could 
prevent the peasants returning to their homes ; and 
the chiefs were left with some hundreds of desert- 
ers, or strangers without a home to go to : But, 
whenever the army was wanted for some new en- 
terprise, it was as readily formed again as it had 
been dissolved. The chiefs sent to all the parishes, 
and the tocsin being sounded, and the peasants as- 
sembled, a requisition in the following terms was 
read to them : 

'' In the holy name of God, and by the King, 
this parish is invited to send as many men as pos- 
sible to such a place, on such a day and hour, and 
to bring provisions with them.^' The chief, in 
whose command the parish lay, signed the requi- 
sition. It was obeyed with alacrity by the pea- 
sants, who even struggled for the privilege of 
going. Each man brought bread with him, and 
the generals provided a certain quantity of provi- 

N 



sions besides. The grain and oxen necessary for 
the support of the army were obtained from the 
gentlemen's estates, or proprietors of land in gene* 
ral, emigrants, and others ; but there was seldom 
occasion to have recourse to a requisition, for there 
was extreme willingness to furnish what was ne- 
cessary. The rich people gave with the utmost 
liberality, and the parishes assessed themselves to 
send carts with bread to the army as it passed ; 
and the women on their knees, tellings their beads, 
watched upon the roads to offer provisions to the 
soldiers. Those who were able gave to the full 
extent of their means, and there was no instance 
of want of provisions. 

As the army at that tinie had neither wagons 
nor baggage, it may well be supposed there could 
be no tents ; but the sick and wounded met with 
particular care and attention. They were all, 
whether royalists or republicans, transported to 
St. Laurent sur Sevre, where they were attended 
by the sisters of La Sagesse, a species of smur^ 
grises^f who had taken refuge there in great 
numbers, persecuted as they were every where 
else, and driven away from their other houses. In 
the same town the missionaries of St, Esprit had 
dedicated themselves to the same functions ; some 
following the army as surgeons, and others super- 
intending small hospitals in different places. 



* An order of mins, whose vows w^re to attend the 
srck. 



99 

When the array was assembled, it was divided 
into different columns, for the attack of certain points 
|)revious]y determined upon by the generals. They 

said, '* M goes such a way, who follows 

him ?'' Those soldiers who knew the officer, 
joined immediately, and when the requisite num- 
ber was made up, no more men were received. 
The chiefs, when they arrived at the point of at- 
tack, formed the different companies in the same 
inanner. The soldiers were not told, ^' To the 
right," «,To the left,'^ but, " Go towards that 
house, — towards that great tree, — then to the at- 
tack !" The peasants scarcely ever omitted say- 
ing their prayers before engaging, and almost all 
of them made the sign of the cross, each time they 
fired. 

It was found impossible, even for money, to 
make them stand centinel, or make a patrole. The 
officers were obliged to perform this duty, when 
necessary. They had some colours which they 
displayed on important occasions, but when the 
victory was gained, the peasants huddled together 
colours and drums into a cart, and returned in a 
joyous crowd. As soon as the battle began, and 
the musquetry and artillery were heard, the wo- 
men and children, and all the inhabitants not en- 
gaged, repaired to the churches, or prostrated 
themselves in the tields, to pray for the success of 
our arms. And thus, through a whole country, 
and at one moment, there was but one thouglit, 
one prayer ! The fate of all hung upon the same 
batUe. 



100 

^iicli was iht Vendeen arniy^ the first moiitlis 
of the war, and when it is considered how little 
common prudence, order, or calculation, contri- 
buted to its successes, they will appear still more 
surprising. Very different ideas had been formed 
of this insurrection. It was naturally supposed to 
have been brought about by intrigue and deep ma- 
noeuvring, and that the chiefs were skilful politi- 
cians, of whom the peasants were the blind instru- 
ments, and that the whole had been the result of a 
great plan previously concerted. Nothing could 
be more remote from the truth. The war was ra- 
ther defensive than offensive, wholly without a 
plan, and had scarcely any object but the immedi- 
ate security of the country. After continued suc- 
cesses, the hope of powerfully contributing to a 
counter revolution, assuredly presented itself to 
all the Vendeens, but without influencing their con- 
duct. During these short moments, in wiiich they 
could indulge such hopes, the pretensions of the 
insurgents did not cease to be moderate. I know 
not what dreams of ambition may have been form- 
ed afterwards by some of the cliiefs, but the views 
of the army, of the good peasants, and their oflB- 
cers, were extremely humble. 

istj They meant to ask that the name of La Ven- 
dee, given by chance, should be preserved, and a 
province formed of the Socage, with a distinct ad- 
ministration. 

It had long b£en a source of regret, that a coun- 
try united by manners, industry, and the nature of 
the soil, should be separated in three parts, each de- 



101 

pendent on different provinces, whose administrar 
tions had always neglected the Bocage. 

^ily, They would have solicited the King to ho- 
nour for once that rude and remote country with 
his presence. 

^dly, They wished that, in memory of the war, 
the white flag might always be seen on the steeple 
of each parish ; and that a corps of Vendeens should 
be admitted in the King's guard. 

On other points, the peasants neither wished for 
diminution of taxes, exemptions from the militia, 
aor particular privileges, and would even have ob- 
jected to the execution of former projects, for open- 
ing roads, or navigation of rivers. 

This account of our hopes and wishes will give 
an idea of the peculiar character of the Vendeen 
war, differing by its simplicity, purity, and zeal^ 
ftom most other insurrections. 

We set out from Bressuire, on the -Ith of May, 
in the morning. At a quarter of a mile from Cha- 
tillon, we saw a gi-eat number of the towns-people, 
who came armed to meet us, calling out, " Vive le 
Roi ! La noblesse.* The priests !'' They asked 
where M. de Lescure was, and when they were 
told he was with the army, their transports redou<» 
bled. At Chatillon, a counsel, just appointed made 
a speech, and would give us a guard of honour. 
We continued our route, and in a little while took 



* La noblesse does not mean nobility, but more proper- 
ly tlie gentry. 



leave of our guard, giving them thirty louis. lu 
the eveaing we arrived at the chateau de la Bou- 
laye, where my mother, my aunt, M. d'Auzon, M. 
Desessarts, his daughter, and myself, established 
ourselves. 



103 



CHAPTER VII. 



Thours, Parthenay and Chataigneraie taken. — 
Defeat at Fontenay, — Fontenay taken. 



As I was not at the scene of action, and as the 
engagements were very numerous, I cannot give a 
detail of each, and must even omit many of them. 

The taking of Thouars was one of the principal 
events of the war, and peculiarly important to me. 
It was the first time M. de Lescure appeared in 
battle, and he gained so high a reputation for valour, 
as instantly acquired him a great influence in the 
army. 

General Quetineau entered Thouars the 3d of 
May, and not imagining he should be attacked, 
took no precautions. In the evening of the 4th, 
he was informed that the Yendeens were marching 
to the town, and he then hastened to take measures 
for its defence. Thouars is situated upon a height, 
nearly surrounded by the river Thoue ; all the 
roads to it end on this river, except those from 
Saumur and Poitiers. The Vendeens had, there- 
fore, the Thoue to cross, which runs between deep 
banks, and is not fordable. 



404i 

The passage was to be attempted at four points. 
At the bridge of St. Jean, which reaches the town, 
my father and M. de Marigny were charged with 
this attack. M the Port du Bac du Chateau, MM. 
d'Elbee, Cathelineau, and Stofflet. , •^^ « bridge 
which was half a mile from the town, near the vil- 
lage of Vrine, MM. de Larochejaquelein and de 
Lescure. And at Ford aux Riches, farther from 
tThouars, M. de Bonchamp. 

General Quetineau had sent troops in haste to de- 
fend these points, but his dispositions were defec- 
tive. It had been resolved that MM. de Lescure, 
de Larochejaquelein, and de Bonchamp, were to 
begin the attack two hours before the others ; but 
some delays took place, and as they did not arrive 
at the place of action for five hours, the false attack 
became the principal one. At five in the morning, 
the column commanded by MM. de Lescure and 
de Larochejaquelein, issued from the village of Li- 
gron, which is situated on a height facing tlie bridge 
of Vrine. The battalions of the Nievre and of the 
Var defended this bridge, and h^d made a barri- 
cade, formed of a cart and some dung ; they had 
also artillery in a good position. For six hours 
there was a cannonade, and firing of musquetry ; 
but with little effect, from the distance. About 
eleven o'clock the powder of the Vendeens begin- 
ning to fail, M. de Larochejaquelein went for a sup- 
ply, leaving M. de Lescure ulone to command. A 
moment after, my husband perceived the republi- 
cans less steady, and as if beginning to give way'f 
he instantly seized a musket with a bayonet, and 



i05 

calling to the soldiers to follow him, descended ra- 
pidly from the height, aud gained the middle of the 
bridge, amidst showers of balls and case shot ! No 
peasant dared to follow him ! He returned, called, 
exhorted, and again giving the example, returned 
upon the bridge, but remained alone ! His clothes 
pierced with balls, he made a third effort. At that 
instant MM. de Larochejaquelein and Foret ar- 
rived, and flew to his assistance ; he had been fol- 
lowed by one only of the peasants. All four cross- 
ed the bridge. M. de Lescure leaped the entrench- 
ment; the peasant was wounded; but Henri and 
Foret got over it also ; the men then rushed on to 
then* assistance, and the passage was forced. 

A moment after, M. de Bonchamp succeeded in 
passing the Gue-aux-Riches, which was defended 
by the national guard of Airvaux. Those brave 
men, ignorant that they were cut off by the bridge 
of Vrine, refused to surrender, and perished, fight- 
ing with great bravery. 

This action has been attributed to the men called 
Marseillais ; but they were incapable of it, having 
shewn themselves through the whole war as desti- 
tute of courage as of humanity. 

As soon as the republicans opposed to M. 
de Lescure saw the bridge carried, they fled in 
disorder towards the town. Thirty dragoons 
pursued them to the walls of the town, but I'etnrn- 
ed afterwards to take post before the bridge, and 
protect the passage of the whole army. When it 
had filed off, this advanced post fell back into the 
rear The republicans, mistaking this for a flight, 

O 



106 

advanced upon the Vendeens, who allowed them to 
approach, and then, with a warm discharge of mus- 
quetry and artillery, routed them a second time. 
They retired with precipitation into the town. The 
Vendeens followed them closely, but finding the 
gates shut, they determined upon an assault. The 
town was surrounded by an old wall, without any 
ditch. The peasants tried to demolish it with their 
pikes, but this was not speedy enough. M. de La- 
rochejaquelein, mounted on the shoulders of Texier, 
a peasant of the parish of Courlay, reached the top 
of the wall, where it was a little broken. He then 
fired some shots, and with his hands began pulling 
down the stones, making at last a kind of breach, 
by which the troops rushed in. During this time, 
the two other divisions had crossed the river, and 
begun their attack. Greneral Quetineau, seeing he 
could no longer defend the town, yet fearing to com- 
mit himself by capitulating, proposed to the admi- 
nistrators of the district to hoist the white flag, and 
send a deputation with offers of submission. Tliey 
hesitated a long time, for they were decided repub- 
licans, and feared the brigands ; but on Quctineau 
demonstrating to them that resistance was no lon- 
ger practicable, they consented, and went to M. 
d'Elbee to make their submission, at the very mo- 
ment that MM. de Larochejaquelein and de Les- 
cure were entering the town. Notwithstanding this 
circumstance, there was no disorder, no inhabitant 
was ill treated, nor a house pillaged. The pea 
sants hurried to the churches, to ring the bells and 
pray. They burnt the tree of liberty, and the pa- 



107 

pers belonging to the administration, whicli, for 
what reason I know not, always afforded them 
great amusement. After that they went and lodged 
in private houses, behaving quietly and gently, ex- 
acting nothing but wine and provisions. 

The public functionaries of Thouars were at first 
in great apprehension of being ill treated by the 
peasants; and putting themselves under the protec- 
tion uf the chiefs, never quitted tliem. MM. de 
Lescure and de Larochejaquelein undertook to 
shelter them. On entering the town, the skiits of 
their coats had been laid hold of by two or three of 
these men as a safeguard. There was, however, 
110 favour granted to the priests wbo had taken the 
oaths. They were imprisoned, and led away when 
our troops left the town, as also 300 prisoners ta- 
ken before the capitulation ; but there was no inju- 
ry done to them. 

All the chiefs lodged in the same house with 
General Quelineau. M. de Lescure, who had 
known him a grenadier, and looked upon him as a 
man of honour, took him to his own apartment, 
where Quetineau said, " Sir, I perceived your 
window-shutters closed when I left Bressuire. You 
believed yourselves forgotten, but it v, as not from 
defect of memory that I left you at liberty." M. 
de Lescure expressed his gratitude, and added, 
" You have your liberty, and may leave us when, 
you please, but I would advise you to remain with 
us. We diffei' in opinion, therefore we shall not 
expect you to fight for us, but you will be a prison- 
er on parole, and you shall be well tie^ited. If 



108 

you return to the republicans, they will never par- 
don you this capitulati'vn, which was, however, un- 
avoidable. It is an asylum I offer you from their 
vengeance." Quetineau replied, " I shall be 
thought a traitor if I go with you ; there will then 
be no doubt that I betrayed the town, although I 
only advised a capitulatioti at the moment it was 
taken by assault. It is in my power to prove that I 
did my duty ; but I should be dishonoured if they 
could suppose me in intelligence with the enemy." 
This brave man continued inflexible in his resolu- 
tion, although others renewed, but in vain, the pro- 
posals M. de Lescure had made him. This since- 
rity and devotion to his principles acquired him the 
esteem of all our chiefs. He never lowered himself 
by any supplications, and always preserved a firm 
and dignified tone. Stofllet, who had not the deli- 
cacy of the other gentlemen, was at first rude to 
General Q^uetineau, and wished to make him relin- 
quish his cockade. A dispute in consequence was 
beginning to ensue, when the other chiefs interfer- 
ed, and obliged StoflBiet to desist. The peasants also 
were far from conceiving why any respect should be 
shewn to a republican general, and astonished to 
see him lodged in the same house with their gene 
rals. The men of M. de Bonchamp's division, 
learning that he and Quetineau slept in the same 
room, were in particular much alarmed, and came 
in crowds to express their fears, and entreat he 
would not do so. Feeling provoked at this suspi- 
cion of Quetineau, he received their remonstrances 
ungraciously, yet they were repeated several times 



109 

the same evening, and at last^ seeing that he would 
pay no attention to them, they introduced them- 
selves into the house after he was gone to bed, and 
watched the whole night upon the stair and before 
the door, to guard their general. His garde-chasse, 
even, when he thought him asleep, opened the door 
softly, and laid himself down at the foot of his bed. 
On awaking next morning, M. de Bonchamp scold- 
ed these good people for this proof of attachment^ 
which a misconceived distrust had led them to 
shew him. 

The Vendeens made some recruits at Thouars. 
Many soldiers joined us, and some good officers, 
who have since distinguished themselves. I should 
mention in particular M. de la Yille de Beauge. 
He was twenty-seven years of age ; had fought 
against the Yendeens with the national guard of 
Thouars, but abandoned a party in which he had 
been enrolled by force, and became a few months 
after one of the principal chiefs among the royal- 
ists. He was full of bravery, talents, patience, sim- 
plicity, and indefatigable zeal. He employed him- 
self in every way, and always usefully, but he 
most frequently commanded in the artillery. He 
acquired the perfect friendship and confidence of 
M. de Lescure and de Larochejaquelein. 

MM. Daniaud Duperat, and the Chevalier Piet 
de Beaurepaire, both eighteen years old, celebrat- 
ed in the array for their bravery, became two of 
our best officers. M. Herbold was a student for the 
priesthood, but had not taken orders, and had been 



110 

coaipelled to enter a republican battalion. His vir- 
tues, modesty, piety, zeal, and courage, endeared 

liim to all the Vendeens. M. de Beaiivolliers, the 

n 

elder, brother of the Chevalier, was zealous and 
active, and was particulai'ly excellent wherever 
care or method was requisite. 

MM. de la Marsonniere and de Sanglier, equal- 
ly devoted to the cause, were of advanced age. 
They belonged to tlie artillery, and the first, often 
performed §reat services. The Chevalier de Mon- 
dyon, who was a boy of fourteen, also joined the 
army. He had escaped from his hoarding-school at 
Paris, and, with a forged passport, came into Ven- 
dee to fight for the King. He was very handsome, 
had an artlent courage, and great quickness of 
parts. M. de Langerie was still younger, being on- 
ly thirteen. He was not allowed, at first, to take an 
active part in the war, but could not be hindered* 
In the first engagement lie had a horse killed un- 
der him. Being then made aide-de-camp to M, 
— , w^ho commanded at Chatillon, he de- 
serted a post where he had nothing to do, procured 
another horse, and rejoined the army, M. Renon 
was thirty. He came from Lou dun before the bat- 
tle of Thouars, and distinguished himself by tlie 
most extraordinary bravery. 

After passing two days at Thouars, the chiefs 
inarched to Parthenay. The republicans had eva- 
cuated it. The Chevalier de Marsanges, an emi- 
grant, and five dragoons, his comrades, quitted the 
repubiicansj and joined us the .same day. The ge- 



Ill 

jierals always saw deserters with pleasure ; but the 
pi cisaiits (lisiruftted them, and always imagined 
theso turncoats were spies. 

Tlie army then approached Cliataigneraie, de- 
fended hy three or four thousand republicans. Here 
all the new comers had their first trials to undergo. 
M. de Lescure, wishing to putJVl. deBauge to the 
test, placed him, at the head of two hundred men, 
in a post of great difficulty. He succeeded in main- 
taining it with great courage and coolness. The 
littln Chevalier de Mondyon was wounded, as was 
also the Chevalier de Beaux olliers and M. Dupe- 
rat. The six dragoons ivho liad joined at.Parthe- 
iif y, observing the distrust of the Vendeena, and 
desirous of removing it, fought with desperation. 
One of them was killed ; the peasants, seeing this, 
called out, " Enough ! Dragoons, enough ! You 
are brave men." 

La Chataigneraie was carried, after some resist- 
ance. My father's counsels contributed much to 
this success. The peasants committed some dis- 
orders in Chataigneraie. They had now been many 
days under arms, and were seized with an extreme 
desire to return to their homes. It was impossible 
to restrain them. The next day, the l6th of May, 
no more than seven thousand remained. Three 
thousand more were procured, with great difficulty, 
for the attack of Fontenay. 

MM. de Lescure and de Larochejaquelein com- 
manded the left wing. They ohtained at first aa 
advantage, and reached the faubourgs of the town, 
after having repulsed the republicans ; but the right 



11^ 

wing and centre had been thrown into complete 
disorder. The peasants were disheartened,-— the 
dispositions ill made, — and the artillery was 
crowded together in a road where it could be of no 
use. M. d'Elbee was wounded in the thigh ; M. 
de la Marsonniere surrounded, was taken, with 
more than two hundred men. The day was thought 
lost ; but MM. de Leseure and de Laroehejaque- 
lein, extricating themselves, retreated in good or- 
der, saving even their cannon. 

After this affair, things were in a very bad situa- 
tion. Almost all the artillery was lost ;* Marie- 
Jeanne had been taken, and there remained only 
six pieces of cannon ; no more powder ; each sol- 
dier had at most one cartridge; a general was 
wounded, and the peasants had lost their first con- 
fidence. But the chiefs were not discouraged ; they 
took immediately the measures best suited to the 
occasion ; made light of what had happened ; and 
told the soldiers it would soon be their turn. The 
assistance of the priests was employed in rekindling 
the zeal of the people, who were told that God bad 
permitted this misfortune as a punishment for the 
havock they had committed in some houses of Cha~ 
taigneraie. 

An unforeseen circumstance, however, contri- 
buted more than any thing to reanimate the pea- 
sants : 



* This apparent contradiction is in the text, and not 
chargeable to the translator. 



lis 

Whilst the army was at Thouars, the soldiers 
found in a house a man in the uniform of a volun- 
teer. He told them he was a priest, who had heen 
forced to enrol in a republican battalion at Poitiers, 
and requested to speak to M. de Villeneuve du 
Cazeau, who had been his college eompanion. M. 
de Villeneuve recognised him as the Abbe Guyot 
de Folleville. Soon after he said that he was 
Bishop of Agra, and that th^ non-juring bishops 
had consecrated him in secret at St. Germain. M. 
de Villeneuve communicated all this to the Bene- 
dictin M. Pierre JagauU, whose knowledge and 
judgment were much esteemed. Both proposed to 
the bishop of Agra, that he should join the army ; 
but he hesitated much, alleging his bad health. At 
last they prevailed, and then introduced him to the 
general officers. No one conceived a doubt of what 
he told. M. de Villeneuve knew him, and he re» 
ferred also to M. Brin, curate of Saint Laurent, 
and the sisters of La Sagesse. He said that the 
Pope had appointed four apostolic vicars for 
France, and that the dioceses of the west had been 
committed to his charge. He had a fine figure, 
with an air of gentleness and humility, and very 
good manners. The generals saw, with great plea- 
sure, an ecclesiastic of such high rank and appear- 
ance supporting their cause, and an influence likely 
to prove very powerful. It was agreed upon that 
he should go to Chatillon, and be received there as 
bishop. 

Thus first appeared in La Vendee that Bishop 
of Agra, who played so important a part, and be- 

P 



114< 

came so celebrated in the history of the war. It 
appeared in the sequel that all this singular per- 
sonage had said of himself was false. He deceiv- 
ed the whole army and country without any appa- 
rent object or motive. L'Abbe Guyot de Folle- 
ville had at first, as it appears^ taken the oath, had 
left Paris some time before the war in La Vendee, 
to shelter himself at Poitiers, in the house of a re- 
lation. His manners and his apparent mildness 
and piety had made him many friends. All pious 
persons, and particularly the expelled nuns, had a 
very great predilection for the Abbe de Folleville, 
It was then, probably, that, in order to give him- 
self still more importance, he confided to these ad- 
miring friends that he was Bishop of Agra. An 
absurd vanity seems to have been his sole motive. 
It was by the correspondence of these devotees 
that the sisters of Saint Laurent had learnt any 
thing ; and when he was introduced to the army, 
the deception once begun, was carried on without 
the possibility of detection, or indeed suspicion. 
This is the only explanation that can be given of 
the extraordinary conduct of this Abbe. He cer- 
tainly never betrayed us, and perished in oujp 
cause ; and there was nothing equivocal in his con- 
duct in other respects. This imposture was not 
suggested to him by ambition, and the desire of be- 
coming the first personage of La Vendee, and ac- 
quiring an extensive influence over the minds of the 
people ; for the bishop, with much good-breeding, 
and the manners of the world, was not a man of 
ability, and never shewed energy or strength at 



115 

character. Besides, if his tale had been calculate 
ed for the civil war, why begin it at Poitiers before 
the existence of that war, and in a different part of 
tlie country ? In short, he became a great person- 
age, by inventing an idle story from mere foolish 
vanity. It has been suspected that the generals 
were accomplices in this fraud, and had contrived 
it for the obvious purpose of influence over the pea- 
sants. But none of the Vendeen chiefs were capa- 
ble of using religion as a tool ; and, had any one 
proposed such a project, he would have met with 
the strongest opposition from all the others. To de- 
ceive the army also, would have required a unani- 
mous consent, and impenetrable secresy in all the 
principal ofBcers, as at that time there was no ge- 
neral in chief. All they did was to believe, with- 
out much reflection, a probable story, and which, 
once admitted^ became useful to the cause. 

It was peculiarly after the defeat at Fontenay 
that they reaped great advantage from the presence 
of this pretended Bishop of iVgra. He arrived the 
very day of the overthrow at Ghatillon. On his 
awival the bells were rung ; crowds followed him, 
on whom he bestowed benedictions ; he officiated 
pontifically, and the peasants were intoxicated with 
joy. The happiness of having a bishop among 
them made them forget their reverses, and restored 
the whole of their ardour. 

The army again assemhletl, and was joined by 
the division of M. de Bonchamp, which returned 
into Anjou after the taking of Chataigneraie. They 
again marched upon that town, which the republic 



116 

cans bad occupied anew, but evacuated without re- 
sistance ; and the royalists slept there. The next 
day, May S^^th, towards mid-day, they approached 
Fontenay, and found 10,000 republicans^ with a 
numerous artillery, waiting for them. 

Before the attack, the soldiers received absolu- 
tion. The generals then said to them, " Now, 
friends, we have no powder ; we must take these 
cannon with clubs. We must recover Marie- 
Jeanne ! Let us try who runs the best V^ The 
soldiers of M. de Lescure, who commanded the 
left wing, hesitated to follow him. He advanced 
alone thirty paces before them, and then stopping, 
called out, " Vive le Roi !'' A battery of six pieces 
fired upon him with case-shot. His clothes were 
pierced, his left spur carried away, and his right 
boot torn ; but he was not wounded. *< You see> 
my friends," cried he instantly, *' the Blues do 
not aim well." The peasants took courage, and 
rushed on. M. de Lescure, to keep up with them, 
was obliged to put his horse to the full trot. — 
At that moment, perceiving a large crucifix, they 
threw themselves on their knees before it. M. de 
Bauge wanted to urge them on. " Let them 
pray," said M. de Lescure calmly. They soon 
rose, and again rushed on. Meantime, M. de La- 
rochejaquelein, at the head of the cavalry, with M, 
de Dommaigne, charged successfully. The re- 
publican horse fled; but, instead of pursuing them, 
they turned upon the flank of the left wing, and 
broke through it. This decided the victory. The 
republicans had held out about an hour. A batta» 



117 

lion of the Gironde alone stood nobly ; the rest fled 
in disorder towards the town. M. de Lescure was 
the first to reach the gate of the town with his left 
wing, and entered it ; but his peasants had not 
courage to follow him. MM. de Bonchamp and 
Foret perceived from a distance the danger he 
4'an, and darted forward to his assistance. These 
^^^hrce had the temerity to penetrate alone into the 
streets. They were full of Blues, who fled in dis- 
order, or fell upon their knees, calling for " Mer- 
^^ cy !" These gentlemen said to them, " Ground 
your arms, and no harm shall be done to you. — 
Vive le Roi !" When they came to the public 
square, they separated, and each took a difl'erent 
street. Scarcely had M. de Bonchamp parted 
from M. de Lescure, than a Blue, who had thrown 
down his gun, took it up again, and flred at him. 
The ball pierced his arm, and the flesh near his 
breast. His peasants, who followed at some dis- 
tance, rushed forward furiously, and massacred all 
the Blues found in that street, lest the criminal 
should escape. 

M. de Lescure turning into the street of the Pri- 
sons, had them opened in the name of the King ; 
M. de la Marsonniere, and all the Vendeens, 
came out instantly, and embraced him as their de- 
liverer ! 

They had been condemned the evening before, 
and were to have been executed that day. Ex- 
pecting every moment during the battle to be put 
to the sword, they had endeavoured to raise a bar- 
ricade to defend themselves. 



118 

The same apprehensipa for their safety had in- 
duced M. de Lescure thus to venture into the town, 
and hasten to the prisons, but he now left them im- 
mediately to pursue the enemy. 

Foret had followed the main street, and after 
traversing the town, he found himself on the road 
to Niort. He was bent on retaking Marie- Jeanne, 
to the preservation of which the Blues attached so 
much importance. Within a mile of the town, 
Foret overtook the piece, guarded by some foot 
soldiers, with some gendarmes, at a little distance, 
and Foret had advanced so imprudently, that he 
found himself suddenly in the midst of them. 

Fortunately he was mounted on a horse taken 
some days before from a gendarme, and had pre- 
served the saddle and accoutrements. They, 
therefore, took him for one of themselves, and said 
to him, " Comrade, there is 25,000 francs for those 
who shall save Marie-Jeanne. It is attacked, let 
us go back and defend her.'^ Foret agreed, and 
said he would be the first. When near the piece^ 
lie turned suddenly upon the gendarmes, and kill- 
ed two of them. The peasants who saw this re- 
doubled their efforts, and Marie- Jeanne was re- 
taken, and carried off triumphantly, although with 
the loss of some lives. 

The battle of Fontenay, the most brilliant the 
Vendeens had yet fought, procured them forty 
pieces of cannon, many muskets, a great quantity 
of powder, and ammunition of all kinds. They 
took also two boxes filled with assignats, which 
had not the impression of the Kiug upon them. 



119 

The first was pillaged by the soldiers, who thought 
so little of this species of money, that they burnt 
and tore the assignats, and many curled their hair 
with them iu derision. The second box, which 
contained nearly 900,000 francs, was preserved by 
the generals for the use of the army. They en- 
dorsed the assignats, " Bouj au now, du. Roi,'' with 
the signature of all the members of the superior 
council then formed. This measure inspired much 
confidence. 

There was considerable embarrassment respect- 
ing the republican prisoners, whose number 
amounted to three or four thousand. The custom 
of giving no quarter was not then fully adopted 
by the Blues, and, therefore, retaliation was not 
yet become necessary. These people, besides, 
had been told, '^ Surrender, and no harm shall 
be done to you." To guard them was impossible, 
as we had neither forts, nor any other place of 
safety ; their parole, not to serve against us, or any 
of the coalesced powers, would have been of no 
avail. My father proposed to cut off their hair, 
which would secure their being known again, and 
punished if taken a second time ; the measure 
was adopted, and occasioned much mirth among 
our people. 

Great advantages were expected from this, as it 
would serve to establish throughout all France, 
both the successes and moderation of the Yendeens ; 
and that they would be obliged to acknowledge, 
and tell that the rebels, instead of being brigands., 
as they were called, were, in fact, full of loyalt/, 



ISO 

Courage, and clemency. The Vendeens conducted 
themselves also with prudence and moderation to- 
wards the purchasers of forfeited estates ; whose 
titles were declared null, but their persons not mo- 
lested. Many of them had already joined us. The 
Chevalier Desessarts drew up a proclamation, 
which was printed and signed by the council of 
war ; many thousand copies were distributed among 
the dismissed prisoners. 

These measures had not the expected eiSects. 
The revolutionary opinions were stronger, and 
more extensively diffused than we were aware of, 
and there were no means of such an understand^ 
ing witR the other provinces, as to induce them 
to throw off the yoke ; that perfect unison of sen- 
timents between the peasants and the higher classes, 
did not exist elsewhere, and the revolt made no 
progress. 

The insurrections at Lyons, and in the south, 
were unconnected with ours, and undertaken in a 
different spirit. 



1^1 



CHAPTER Via 



Formation of the Superior Council.— -Victories 
of VihierSf of Done ^ of Montr euiL — Taking of 
Saumur. 



After the taking of Fontenay, some proposed 
to inarch upon Sables, others on Niort ; and this 
last was, I believe, preferable to the other, which 
would have led too far from the insurgent country. 
Both were liable to many objections. During these 
debates, the morning slipt away, and the peasants, 
who were fatigued, and had received no orders, 
began to withdraw to their villages, where they 
had an extreme desire to carry the news of their 
victory of Fontenay ; it became impossible to 
undertake any thing new. 

Meanwhile, such a victory, and the taking the 
chief town of a department, seemed to give to the 
Vendeen insurrection much more importance than 
it ever had before. 

The chiefs having no military occupation at that 
moment, wished now to establish some regularity 
in their operations. They created a superior coun- 
cil, to sit at Chatillon. The Bishop of Agra was 

9, 



president, and M. Desessart's father vice-presi- 
dent. Carriere, avocat of Fontenay, who had 
joined the royalists, was chosen Procureur du Roi 
in the council ; and M. Pierre Jagault, a benedic- 
tine, secretary. Among the members of the coun- 
cil, should be distinguished M. de la Rochefou- 
cauld, who was the doyen (senior member) ; MM. 
le Maignan, Bourasseau de la Renoliere and Body. 
The other members were, except two ecclesiastics, 
lawyers and gentlemen whose age or health pre- 
vented their bearing arms. One of those who dis- 
tinguished himself the most in the council, and who 
acquired most influence in the army, was the Abbe 
Bernier, curate of the parish of St. Laud, a An- 
gers. Of all those engaged in the civil war, none 
had superior abilities to the Abbe Bernier. He 
had the most admirable facility in speaking or 
writing, and preached extempore, I have heard 
him speak for two hours at a time with a force and 
brilliancy that captivated his hearers. What he 
said was always well-timed ; his texts were pecu- 
liarly well chosen, and happily interwoven with 
his subject. He never hesitated ; and though his 
eloquence was remote from fiery vehemence, it 
seemed inspired. His exterior and manners cor- 
responded with his words ; the sound of his voice 
was soft and penetrating ; and his action was re- 
markably simple. His unwearied zeal never aba- 
ted ; he never lost courage ; and his apparent mo- 
desty added more value to his great qualities. He 
often gave excellent advice to the generals, and 
entered into the military spirit without derogating 



iS3 

from his ecclesiastical character. He ruled in the 
superior council, and he was loved by the soldiers 
for his preaching and ardour for religion. Thus in 
a little time the Abbe Bernier acquired a universal 
ascendancy. But by degrees the general opinion 
began to alter ; an ambitious aim was discovered in 
all his conduct. Extremely tenacious of power, 
he continually grasped at more ; he sowed discord 
every where; flattered some at the expense of 
others, in order to please and govern more secure- 
ly. In consequence, the esteem and respect that 
had been conceived for him gradually disappeared ; 
and after the war, the Vendeens imputed to him, 
justly or not, bad morals, a mean interested dispo- 
sition, unbounded ambition, even crimes, and with 
some probability. But the prejudice in his favour 
w^as not soon dissipated ; and his talents and capa> 
city never ceased to command respect, and a kind 
of awe, felt even by those who liked him the least. 

Among the ecclesiastics of the superior council, 
M. Pierre Jagault was also very distinguished by 
his talents. He had neither ambition nor vanity. 
He gave wise counsels without seeking, as the 
Abbe Bernier did, to govern the army. He equal- 
led him in his facility of speaking and writing; 
but though endowed with all the talents requisite, 
he seldom preached. M. Brin, cumte of Saint 
Laurent, was also very considerable by his zeal and 
eminent virtues. 

The generals referred to the superior council all 
that related to the administration of the country ; 
and in each parish a council was formed to superin- 



124 

tend the execution of tlie orders issued hy tlie su- 
perior council. It was established also^ that in the 
parishes where there was no military chief, the pea- 
sants should name one among them who was to at- 
tend to the levies of men, correspond with the ge- 
nerals, command the men, and distribute the provi- 
sions. Measures were taken to provide clothing 
and shoes for those who were in need ; magazines 
were formed, and various otlier useful arrange- 
ments. It was necessary to appoint a treasurer of 
the army, acting in concert with the superior coun- 
cil. M. de Beauvolliers, the elder, could not re- 
fuse an office for which he was better fitted than 
any other person, although it occasioned him, to his 
extreme regret, to be almost always absent from the 
engagements ; but he preserved his place in the 
council of war. As he was the only chief who had 
a fixed residence, all demands were carried to him. 
He had a number of people employed under him; 
some charged with the distribution of stores, and 
others whose department was to ascertain the wants 
of the army and provide for them. These estab- 
lishments were at Chatillon, the head-quarters. 

The generals were occupied, during the three 
daysthey passed in Fontenay after the battle, in re- 
gulating these affairs. The town was without de- 
fence, and situated in the plain, where opinions 
were in general favourable to tlie revolution 5 yet 
they left Fontenay without committing an injury, 
and e\^en released three administrators of the de- 
partment whom they had arrested. 



125 

Scarcely had the army returned into theBocagc^ 
when they learnt that the republican hussars had 
shewn themselves at Ar^^eijton-le-Chateau. MM. 
de Lescure and de Larochejuquelein received this 
intelligence at the Chateau of La Boulaye. They 
immediately sent express' s to summon the army to 
assemble at Aiiliiers. On arriving th'*ire, they found 
the hussars had returned to Vihiers, bein2;^part of 
the advanced 2;uard of a numerous republican ar- 
my forming at Saumur. 

The convention hadbes:un to consider, the insur- 
rection of La Vendee as formidable, and now wish- 
ed to send a great force against the rebels. Some 
battalions had been raised at Paris, in which sol- 
diers drawn from the army of the north were in- 
corporated. A numerous and warlike cavalry was 
also sent. All tliese measures were taken witli in- 
conceivable rapidity. The troops and cannon tra- 
velling post and in boats, came in five days from 
Paris to Saumur. Forty thousand men, of which 
the half were troops of the line, occupied already 
Saumur, Montreuil, Thouars, Doue, and Vihiers. 

Stofflet was the first who attacked them. He left 
Chollet with seventy horse, and entered Vihiers with- 
out resistance. The republican cavalry fell back. 
He instantly wrote to MM. de Lescure and de La- 
rochejaquelein, that he waited for them, and those 
gentlemen began their march in perfect security. 
Meanwhile the Blues returned, and attacked Stof- 
flet with 2000 men, obliging him to withdraw so 
precipitately, that he had not time to send notice 
to MM. de Lescure and de Larochejaquelein. The 



1S6 

republicans, learning that a Vendecn column was 
advancing, warned the inhabitants, who were pa- 
triots, to let the rebels believe that the town was 
still occupied by their own party, while they lay in 
ambush on a neighbouring height. MM. de Les- 
cure and de JLarochejaquelein, and Desessarts, witli 
about 4000 men, entered the town without suspi. 
cion. -After having traversed it, they perceived 
upon the height men posted behind bushes, and be- 
lieving it the troops of Stofflet, advanced to join 
them. The peasants followed negligently, when 
suddenly a masked battery opened upon them with 
case-shot. M. de Lescure's horse was wounded, 
the branches of the trees all around were shatter- 
ed, but he and two other chiefs beside him escaped 
unhurt. The peasants rushed undauntedly upon 
the Blues, who, surprised by this attack, when 
they expected a flight, abandoned their cannon, 
and fled in disorder towards the town. 
"""The grand army, and all the chiefs except MM. 
de Bonchamp and d'Elbee, who were not yet cured 
of their wounds, collected immediately at Aubiers, 
and marched to Done, which they carried. The 
peasants eagerly pursued the republicans on the 
road to Saumur, to within reach of the town, 
where the fire of two redoubts, placed on the 
height of Bournan, forced them to return to Boue. 
Buring the action of this day, two hussars quit- 
ted the enemy's ranks, and joined us. One of these 
Was M. de Boispreau, who has since distinguisljed 
himself. 



i%7 

An attack on Saumur was now determined upon. 
My father and M. de Beauvolliers advised, as there 
would be a difficulty in following the direct road 
going by Montreuil-Bellay, cutting off the commu- 
nication of Thouars with Saumur, and making an 
attack upon that side, which was certainly the 
weakest. This advice was adopted, and Montreuil 
was occupied by our troops. It was expected that 
the troops at Thouars would bring succours from 
Saumur, and towards eight o'clock 5000 or 6000 
men, commanded by General Salomon, appeared 
at the gate of Montreuil^, not suspecting the royalists 
had taken it. My father had placed a battery be- 
hind the gate, and unmasking it suddenly, the 
Blues received a murderous discharge ; at the same 
moment the division of Bonchamp made an attack 
on their flank, which soon terminated in a complete 
and bloody defeat. The Blues fled along the road 
to Thouars, leaving their cannon and baggage, and 
were so terrified that they did not even stop there. 
We also suffered a great loss, as, from the dark- 
ness of the night, some of the troops fired upon 
Bonchamp's division, when it was attacking the 
enemy's flank. 

After the battle, M. de Larochejaquclein pro- 
posed sending a detachment of cavalry to annoy 
and keep the republicans on the watch during the 
night, in order that fatigue might render them less 
able to resist an attack in the course of the next 
day. This was resolved on, and he undertook tiie 
execution of it ; but the peasants, elated by theii: 
successes^ followed in crowds the small number of 



128 

ineu he wished to take with him ; and, in a short, 
time, the whole troops were upon the road to Sau- 
murj shouting, " Vive le Roi ! We go to Saumur!*^ 
The chiefs, unable to check this impulse, hastened 
to place themselves at their head, and determined 
on a real attack. 

M. de Lescure, who commanded the left wing, 
undertook to turn the redoubts at the junction of the 
roads leading from Montreuil and Done. M. de 
Larochejaquelein followed the river along the mea- 
dows, MM. de Fleuriot, Stofflet, and Desessarts, 
at the head of Bonchamp's division, passed by the 
heights above Thoue, towards the castle of Sau- 
xnur. 

These three assaults began nearly at the same 
time, on the morning of the 10th of June. The point 
at which M. de Lescure commanded, presented 
the greatest difficulties. The manner in which the 
troops had engaged, against the intentions of the 
generals, increased the usual irregularity of their 
operations. Nevertheless, the redoubts were turn- 
ed, and the bridge passed, when suddenly a ball 
having wounded M. de Lescure in the arm, the 
peasants who saw him covered with blood, began 
to slacken their pace. Happily the bone was not 
touched, andM. de Lescure, binding up the wound 
with a handkerchief, called to his men it was of 
no consequence, and endeavoured to bring them on 
again; but a charge of republican cuirassiers 
frightened them, and, when they perceived their 
balls had no effect, nothing could longer stop them. 
M. de Dommaigne endeaYOUj:ed to make a stand 



1S9 

at the head of the Vendeen cavalry, but he was 
struck down by a discharge of case-shot, and his 
troop overthrown. The rout became general, and 
the flying troops of M. de Lescure took the road 
from the abbey of Saint Florent, by Thoue. A sin. 
gular chance redeemed the fortune of the <lay. Two 
wagons overturned on the bridge Fouehard, stop- 
ped the cuirassiers, and enabled M. de Lescure to 
rally the soldiers. The brave Loizeau, of the pa- 
rish of Trementiue, who had killed three horsemen 
in defending M. de Dommaigne, and at last was 
wounded and struck down, got up, and placing 
himself at the head of some foot soldiers, fired 
^through the wheels of the wagons at the faces of 
the cuirassiers and at their horses, while M. de 
Marigny directed some flying artillery upon them, 
which turned the scale in favour of the Vendeens. 

Leaving M. de Bauge at the head of 700 men to 
guard the bridge of St. Just, M. de Larochejaque- 
lein, throwing his hat into the entrenchment, call- 
ed out, " Who will go and fetch it?" and darting 
forward the first himself, he was quickly followed 
by a great number of brave peasants. The tw^o as- 
saults taking place at the s^rae moment, the Ven- 
deens had again the same misfortune of firing upon 
each other. 

M. deLarochejaquelein, wishing to improve this 
advantage, set off with M. de Bauge in pursuit of 
the republicans, without considering whether they 
were followed by their troops. They entered the 
town at full gallop. A battalion, then coming down 
from the castle, seeing them, threw down their 

R 



130 

arms, ami regained the castle. These two gentle- 
men galloped on, the muskets scattered about the 
street going off under their horses' feet. After pass- 
ing through the town, they saw the whole army of 
the Blues flying in disorder across the great bridge 
of the Loire. Henri began to fire upon the run- 
aways from a convenient situation, whilst M. de 
Bauge employed himself in loading the pieces for 
him. They were alone, yet no one thought of turn- 
ing upon them. A dragoon at last came upon them 
and fired his pistol, but missed, and Henri cut him 
down Avith his sabre, and took his cartouche-box. 
The batteries from the chateau also fired upon 
them, and M. de Bauge received a violent contu- 
sion, which struck him down. M. de Laroehejaque- 
k'in raised him, and replaced him on his horse. 
Several pieces of cannon had been abandoned; 
and two of them that were loaded they fired upon 
the castle. They afterwards crossed the bridge, 
and, being joined by about sixty foot soldiers, pur- 
sued the Blues ; but after following for a little 
while the road to Tours, they returned to see whe- 
ther the Vendeens had entered the town, as they 
still heard the cannon of the chateau and the re- 
doubts. They broke down the wooden bridge call- 
ed de la Croix Verte, and placed there two of the 
cannon taken, to prevent the Blues returning upon 
them, They soon met M. de Lescure's division in 
Saumur ; and M. de Larochejaquelein, knowing 
that the redoubts still held out, went instantly to. 
join M. de Marigny, who had attacked them. His 
horse was killed under him. Night coming on, the 



131 

attack was suspended till next day ; but the re- 
publicans evacuated the place during the night. 
About 1400 men remaining in the castle, with ar- 
tillery, M. de Marigny went in with a flag of truce 
the next day, and a capitulation was concluded, by 
which the besieged were allowed to retire, aban- 
doning their arms. 

The capture of Saumur gave to the Vendeens 
an important post, the passage of the Loire, eigl>(y 
pieces of cannon, mnskets innumerable, and a great 
quantity of powder and saltpetre. In the course of 
five days they had taken 11,000 prisoners; these 
they shaved, and sent most of them away. Our 
loss in this last affair was sixty men killed, and 
four hundred wounded. 

M. deLescure, knowing that General Que tineau 
had been found in the castle of Saumur, where he 
had been imprisoned previous to his trial for the 
loss of Thouars, sent for Irira, and said, "Well 
Quetineau, you see how the republicans treat you ! 
They accuse you, throw you into prison, and would 
make you die upon the scaffold. Come and save 
yourself with us. Notwithstanding our difference 
of opinion, we esteem, and will do you more jus- 
tice than your patriots !" " Sir," replied Queti- 
neau, " were I at liberty, I should return to my 
prison. I performed my duty, and wish to prove 
it on my trial. Were I to desert, it would be at- 
tributed to the consciousness of being a traitor, and 
I could never support this idea. If I follow you, 
I must abandon my wife, and she would be made 
to suffer for me. There, Sir, is the memorial of 



13S 

my justification ; you know what passed, and will 
see whether I have stated it correctly.'' M. de 
Lescure read the memorial, which contained no- 
thing but the trutlh* Quetineau added sorrowfully, 
"^ the Austrians are masters of Flanders, and you, 
Sir, are also victorious ; — a counter-revolution is 
at hand, and France will he dismembered by fo- 
reigners V '' That," said M. de Lescure, " the 
royalists would never permit, and would fight with 
equal ardour to defend the French territory," 
"All!" cried Quetineau, "then I should serve 
along with you! Hove glory, and I love my coun- 
try, andf/iMsam I a patriot." At that moment he 
heard the people of Saumur bawling in the streets, 
*' Vive leRoi!" — and, opening the window, call- 
ed to them, "Haseals! you who but the other day 
accused me of having betrayed the republic, now, 
from cowardice, cry **^ Vive le Hoi!" Ask these 
Vendeens if I ever did the same." This brave 
man went to Tours, from whence they carried him 
to Paris, where he was condemned to death and 
executed ! His wife, for whose sake partly he re- 
jected M. de Lescure's advice, who would not bear 
to survive him, cried out before the revolutionary 
tribunal, "Vive le Roi," and perished also on the 
scaffold. 

M. de Lescure became feverish from fatigue and 
suffering, having been seven hours on horseback 
after his wound, and having lost much blood ; he 
was prevailed on to retire to Boulaye, till he should 
recover. Before setting out, he assembled the of- 
iicers, and said to them, " Gentlemen, the insur- 



133 

recUon has now become so important, and our suc- 
cesses so promising, that we ought to appoint a 
general ia chief; and although from several officers 
being absent, the present nomination can only be 
provisional, I give my vote for Cathelineau/' 

The choice was universally applauded, except 
by the good Cathelineau, who was astonished at 
the honour done him. My father, MM. de Boisy, 
Duhoux, and d'Elbee, gave afterwards their fall 
approbation. The appointment of Cathelineau was 
desirable in all respects. Of all the chiefs he had 
the most influence over the peasants, who were 
captivated by a kind of natural eloquence he pos- 
sessed, and revered him for his piety and virtues. 
It was he that first raised the country, and gained 
the first victories. He had a military coup-d'ceil, 
extraordinary courage, and great judgment. It 
was well known that his new rank would not ren- 
der him less modest, nor make him listen with less 
deference to the opinions of others. 

In addition to all these recommendation, it was 
good policy to have for general in chief a common 
peasant, at a moment when the spirit of equality, 
and a keen jealousy of the nohlesse had become so 
general. It was, therefore, falling in with the ge- 
neral disposition, and attaching the peasants still 
more to the party they had embraced. The neces- 
sity of attending to this general spirit Avas so much 
felt, that the gentlemen took particular care to treat 
the peasant officers as perfectly their equals, al- 
though they themselves did not expect it. I have 
seen them withdraw from the table of the staff- 



134< 

officers, when I appeared there, saying, ^Mhej 
were not entitled to sit at table with me," and were 
on^y persuaded to remain, in consequence of my 
entreaties. Equality prevailed much more in the 
Vendeen than in the republican army ; and to such 
a degree, that I did not know at the time, whether 
or not the greater part of our officers were gentle- 
men or peasants. 

Merit was the chief consideration. This just and 
natural sentiment came from the heart, and, al- 
though not dictated by interest, was too conforma- 
ble to it, not to be universally adopted. A diffe- 
rent conduct might have cooled the general zeal. 

I shall mention only one very remarkable exam- 
ple of this equality. M. Forestier, wiio was the 
son of a shoemaker in the village of Ghaudron, in 
Anjou, always acted a very conspicuous and dis- 
tinguished part in our army, with the princes, and 
in foreign courts, till he died in the year 1808. 

Two days after the taking of Saumur, MM. de 
Beauvolliers, with five or six hundred men, march- 
ed to Chinon, which they entered without resist- 
ance. They liberated and brought back to Sau- 
mur Madame Beauvolliers, whom the patriots had 
imprisoned. M. de Beauvolliers the elder had his 
daughter also restored to him from Loudun, where 
M. de Larochejaquelein went with a party of eigh- 
ty dragoons. Many officers joined the army while 
at Saumur. Henri had sent intelligence to M. 
Charles d'Autichamp, wlio lived near Angers, who 
came immediately and entered the division of M. 
de Bonchamp, his pousin-gerfaan, where he was 



135 

very soon second in command under M. de Fieu- 
riot. M. de Piron, from Brittany, joined the same 
division^ where they served with high reputation. 

The grand army likewise acquired at this tine 
M. de la Gueriviere, and M. de Bigotie, an emi- 
grant who had returned. 

It became necessary to appoint another general 
of cavalry in the place of M. de Dommaigne. MM, 
Foret and Forestier were balloted for, and the lat- 
ter had the most votes. He was only eighteen, but 
discovered daily more and more merit, and had the 
modesty, while he accepted the commission, to de- 
cline the title on account of his age. 

The commissariat of the Vendeen army acquir- 
ed more importance, after the taking of Saumur^ 
and possessed infinitely greater resources. MM, 
de Marigny and Duhoux d'Hautrivc, established 
at Mortagne and Beaupreau a powder-mill, for ma- 
nufacturing the saltpetre taken at Saumur; Mor- 
tagne was also chosen for the dep6t of the artille- 
ry ; and the magazines of grain, which the repub- 
licans had formed at Chinou, were sent into La 
Vendee. They also purchased large quantities of 
salt, oil, and soap ; and the medicine-chest, which 
till then had been very ill supplied, was now more 
amply provided. The want of means had hitherto 
been supplied by great industry, and many persons 
had shewn much ingenuity and invention. 

As to clothes, they had abundance of coarse 
woollens of the country, linens, cottons, and tick- 
ings. The red handkerchiefs wove in the country 
became much in request, owing to a purtitiular eir- 



136 

cumstance. M. de Larochejaqueleiu wore gene- 
rally one of them on his head, one about his neck, 
and several round bis waist, holding bis pistols. 
At the battle of Fontenay, the Blues were heard to 
cry, " Aim at the red handkerchief." In the even- 
ing the other officers entreated Henri to change this 
costume, but, finding it convenient, he would not 
consent to relinquish it. They then determined to 
adopt it themselves, that it might no longer be a 
mark by which he could be singled out. The red 
handkerchiefs became thus the fashion in the army. 
And this, with the vests and pantaloons, gave them 
certainly a good deal the appearance of brigands, 
as they were called by the republicans. 



isr 



CHAPTER IX. 



Taking of Angers. — Attack of J^antes. — Retreat 
from Parthenay. — The Battle of the Wood-du- 
Moulin aiix Chevres. 



I STILL continued to stay at the castle de la 
Boulaye with my mother ; it seemed as if it were 
the head-quarters of the army. The oflBccrs came 
to it during the intervals of the expeditions ; some 
members of the superior council were there con- 
stantly. 

I had left my child near Clisson with her nurse, 
who had shewed a great unwillingness to leave her 
family to follow me to La Boulaye. After the de- 
feat of Fontenay, she was concealed at Gharry's, 
or at Texier's, who were the worthiest peasants of 
the parish of Courtay. I wanted to have her at 
Boulaye, and I went to meet her as far as la Pom- 
meraye sur Sevre, where our physician, the good 
Mr. Durand, lived. The roads were impassable 
in a carriage. I determined^ therefore, to ride on 
horseback; but 1 was so much afraid, that a man 
held my horse's bridle the whole way. The next 
day, while I was at dinner, a messenger arrived, 
bringing me a letter from M. de Lescure. I liad 
heard of the affair of Sauraur, but it had been con- 
realed from me that he had been wounded there. 

R 



13& 

He was just arrivecl at La Boulaye, and he wrote 
to me himself, to prevent my being uneasy. I was 
dreadfully alarmed^ and would not lose a moment. 
Taking a wretched little horse that happened to be 
in the court-yard, I did not allow time to alter the 
stirrups, which were uneven, and galloped off. In 
three quarters of an hour 1 rode three long leagues 
of bad roads. I found M. de Lescure out of bed, 
but he had a violent fever, which lasted several 
days. Since that time I have never been afraid of 
riding on horseback. 

The great army had never had till then the least 
connexion with M. de Charrette. M. de Lescure 
having some leisure at La Boulaye, wrote him a 
polite letter, to congratulate him on a very brilliant 
affair which had gained him Machecoul. M. de 
Charrette, in answer, complimented our army on 
its successes, and particularly on the taking of 
Saumur. M. de Charrette^s letter, as well as that 
of M. de Lescure, expressed a desire of establish- 
ing a communication between the two armies, and 
of combining their operations. M. de Lescure sent 
immediately a courier to Saumur, to inform the 
generals of the step he had just taken. They were 
well satisfied, and inclined to take advantage of 
this disposition, by concerting an attack on Nantes, 
of which they were then thinking. My father was 
employed to negotiate this affair. He began by 
offering cannon and ammunition to M. de Char- 
rette, who accepted them with gratitude. After 
that the great army supplied it several times, for in 
the Bas-Poitou the war was almost always on the 



139 

defensive ; while, on the contrary, our army ad- 
vancing, took possession of the magazines which 
the republicans had formed. The attack on Nantes 
was then concerted with M. de Charrette ; he was 
to act from the left bank. 

To remain master of the Loire, it was necessary 
to keep Saumur, which formed a safe communica* 
tion between its two banks. It was then resolved 
to establish a garrison there. M. de Langreniere 
was to have its command, but not being suiRciently 
known in the army to inspire the peasants with 
confidence, M. de Larochejaquelein was chosen, 
which did not much please him. To engage the 
soldiers to remain, they were promised food and 
fifteen sous a-day ; and to be relieved every eighi 
days. Each parish was always to have four men 
at Saumur. This was the first time pay had been 
proposed. 

The main body of the army set out. It was now 
very long since the soldiers had left their homes ; 
their ardour was diminished. Stofflet, to determine 
them to pass the Loire, made a proclamation, with 
out consulting any body, in which he said, that 
those who remained were cowards. This measure 
augmentedthe army, but diminished very much the 
garrison of Saumur, which was about a thousand 
men. M. de Larochejaquelain returned to com- 
mand them, after having passed two days at An 
gers with the army. 

The republicans had evacuated Angers, and all 
the adjacent country. The terror which the Ven ^ 
deens then inspired was so great, that four young 



140 

lueny- Messrs. Duperat, Duclicnier, de Boispreau, 
and Magiian^ weat alone to LaFleclie, ten leagues 
before the army. They entered the town, crying 
^^ Vive le Roi!'' alighted at the municipality^ an- 
nounced that the royal army was going straight 
to Paris^ and tliat they came first with two thou- 
sand cavalry, to provide quarters. They said, 
thatj not to frighten the inhabitants, their escort had 
been left half a h': ague off, they ordered the scarfs 
of the m.tjmcipality to be given up, made them 
trample on the cockade, and burn the tree of liber- 
ty. The whole town was in motion to provide 
food for the expected army. Meantime the gentle- 
men were quietly eating their dinner at the inn. In 
the middle of it, a woman servant said to them, 
" Gentlemen, a pedlar who is just come from An- 
gers says, he did not meet your escort on the road, 
and they talk of arresting you V' On this they in- 
stantly got to their horses, and arrived full gallop 
at Angers, ilressed up with tri-coloured cockades, 
and proud of their rashness. 

As Angers is the seat of a bishoprick, the Bishop 
of Agra went there to officiate solemnly. He tra- 
velled with the simplicity of an apostle on horse- 
back, followed by a servant who carried his wood- 
en cross. He celebrated high mass ; and to gain 
the love of the town, and prove that the priests did 
not preach murder, as the republicans said, it was 
arranged that the bishop should ask and obtain t!ie 
pardon of two artillerymen of the Blues, who had 
been condemned to die for some crimes. 



141 

The prince of Talmont, second son of the Due 
de la Troiiiouille, came to Angers to rejoin the 
army. He was a young man of five and twenty, five 
feet ten inches hi^h*, and of a fine figure. Not- 
withstanding his youth, he was habitually afflicted 
with the gout, which made him less active. He 
was hrave, faithful, completely devoted to the 
cause, and of a good temper ; but these excellent 
qualities Avere a little obscured by a certain air of 
levity he affected. 

The Prince of Talmont was received with the 
greatest joy — it was flattering to have in the ranks 
of the army a man of so high a name, and whose 
family had bf^en so long almost sovereign in Poi- 
tou. The duke de la Tremoille and the Princess 
of Tarente, his daughter-in-hiw-, who was Made- 
moiselle de Chatillon, were lords of more than 
three hundred parishes in that province. M. de 
Talmont was immediately appointed general of 
cavalry, to the great satisfaction of the modest M. 
ForestierA,The army took the road from Angers 
to Nantes ; but it was neither very numerous nor 
very animated. Many of the peasants had returned 
home. MM. de Lescure and de Larochejaquelein 
were absent, as well as many of their officers ; and 
the soldiers who were usually under their com- 
mand, were either not in the army, or did not pre- 
serve their accustomed ardour. Besides, they had 
always fought against an enemy near their own 



* Nearly six feet four inches Ens^lisb. 



14S 

country, and ready to invade iL And now these 
poor people could not comprehend of what use it 
could be to them to go and attack Nantes. In 
short, general Catlielineau was said not to have eight 
thousand men when he arrived before the town. 

The army of M. de Charrette and the division 
of M. de Lyrot had, on the contrary, an urgent in- 
terest to gain possession of Nantes. It was from 
thence that all the republican expeditions against 
Bas-Poitou came, and its inhabitants had mustered 
to the number of more than twenty? -five thousand ; 
but their attack was subordinate to that of the great 
army^ because Nantes is situated almost entirely 
on the right bank;, and that there were several 
arms of the Loire to cross, three of which were 
fortified. 

It was agreed to attack the S9fh of June at two 
O'clock in tlie morning. An accident prevented 
the perfect execution of this plan. The republi- 
can army had left a detachment in the town of 
Niort. Contrary to all calculation, it"^ defentled 
itself for ten hours together, and they arrived be- 
fore Nantes only at eight o'clock in the morning. 
M. de Charrette had begun at the appointed hour ; 
and the republicans, instead of having two attacks 
at once to repulse, had time to think of their means 
of defence, and to recover themselves. The gene- 
rals Canclaux and Beysser, who commanded them, 
shewed a great deal of courage and coolness in 
supporting the eS'orts of the Vendeeus. A part 
of the inhabitants seconded them with zeal ; in 
spite of which, our army penetrated as far as the 



113 

suburbs. A fault committed by the Prince of Tal- 
inont hiaderecl perhaps the success of the enter- 
prise. 

It has always been found best to leave the re- 
publicans means of retreating, and not to reduce 
them to the necessity of conquering or dying. It 
was then agreed upon, in the council of war, there 
should be no attack by the road to Vannes. At 
two o'clock in the afternoon, troops of fugitives 
were seen flying out of Nantes by that road. M. 
de Talmont, carried away by too much ardour, 
and forgetting the resolution adopted by the coun- 
cil of war, took two pieces of cannon, and inconsi- 
derately drove back the republicans into the town. 
Their defence became the more obstinate. 

The Vendeens shewed also in the attack more 
perseverance than could have been expected. The 
battle lasted eighteen hours ; but at last having 
seen General Cathelineau mortally wounded by a 
ball in his breast, the elder M. Fleuriot, who com- 
manded the division of Bonchamp, and several 
other officers having fallen likewise, discourage- 
ment and fatigue made the soldiers retire at the 
close of day. The chiefs exerted themselves very 
much to encourage the peasants. M. de Talmont 
had his horse killed by a cannon ball. My father 
was for a while so completely enveloped in the fire 
of a battery, that every body thought him dead. 

The army was dissolved ; officers and soldiers 
repassed the Loire, and tiie right bank was entire- 
ly abandoned. Few soldiers were lost, but the 
death of Cathelineau was a very sreat misfortune. 



144 

M. fie Fleuriot deserved also to be mucii regretted; 
neither of them survived their wounds many days. 

Meanwhile, the Bocage was also the theatre of 
actions wliich had not been foreseen. Some pea- 
sants had mustered together at Amaillou, between 
Bressuire and Parthenay, for the safety of the 
country. M. de Lescure was informed that Gene- 
ral Biron^s army at Niort increased every day, and 
that the advanced guard was at Saint Maixent, 
threatening Parthenay. He sent immediately to 
Saiimur^ to desire MM. de Bauge, the Chevaliers 
de Beaiivolliers and de Beaurepaire, to go to 
Amaillon ; and, although wounded, and ill in 
health, he would go there himself to watch over 
the defence of that jpost. I accompanied him, as I 
€ould not bear to leave him in that situation. 

We stopped one night at Clissoh, and the next 
day arrived at Amaillou, where we found M***, 
who had joined the army. That gentleman was 
about thiity years of age. In order to give himself 
every distinguished appearance, he had put on a 
blue velvet coat embroidered with spangles, wore 
a bag, a chapeau de bras, and a sword by his side; 
it was his iirst appearance in the camp. He said, 
that having been informed that the chiefs were not 
present, he thought himself obliged to come to 
Amaillou and otTer his services. M. de Lescure 
thanked him very much, and begged him, his offi- 
cers being very much fatigued, to take charge of 
the camp, and to give orders for the bivouac. He 
was kept all night in the rain, and far from the fire, 
and appeared no more at the camp. 



145 

The day after, as I was walking with the Che- 
valier de Beauvolliers, we saw all the peasants in 
confusion. They had taken up two republican 
light horsemen ; we guessed they were deserters ; 
and they really came from Saint Maixent. Their 
flight had been discovered ; they had been pursued 
five leagues, and had arrived quite breathless. Our 
people surrounded them ; some said they were 
spiesj others that they should cry out Vive le Roi! 
and some wanted to put them to death. We took 
them under the arm, and conducted them to M. de 
Lescure, who was in his bed; he questioned them. 
The first answered gaily that his name was Cadet; 
he had been put in the legion of the north, but wish- 
ing to fight for the King, he had tleserted. The, 
second appeared embarrassed, and his manner gave 
some suspicion to M. de Lescure, who recommend- 
ed that he should be watched. Soon after he dis- 
tinguished himself by his courage and his merit; 
and then declared that he was of a good family ia 
Auvergne, and that his name was Solilhac. 1 do 
not know what induced him to disguise himself at 
first; he has since always been one of the bravest 
officers of La Vendee. 

The presence of M. de Lescure having brought 
a great number of peasants toAmaiUou,he thought 
it necessary to advance and occupy Parthenay. M. 
Girard tie Beaurepaire, who commanded a small 
division attached to M. de Royrand's army, sent 
him word he would join him with 150 horsemen, 
much needed, as M. de Lescure had only fifteen. 
This junction took place at Parthenay. 

T 



j40 

They expected to be attacked. M. de Bauge 
and the Chevalii^r Beaiirppaire had all the outlelg 
of the town walled up, except the gates of Thouars 
and of St. Maixent. Two pieces of cannon were 
placed at the latter, an advanced guard was posted 
and centinels; it was agreed, that every hour a pa- 
trole should go a league, and then return, so that 
there should alwa;ys be one out. M. Girard de 
Eeaiirepaire was charged to watch over the execu- 
tion of all these precautionary measures ; whiclij 
however, were neglected : he went to bed, and the 
midnight patrole ditl not take place. The advanced 
guard of the republicans^ commanded by General 
Westermann, arrived at the gate ; the centinel was 
killed, and the battery surprised. Goujon, one of 
the 6th dragoons, who had deserted, let himself 
be killed in defending the pieces with courage. 

MM. Lescure and de Bauge had thrown them- 
selves on the same bed. M. de Bauge rose imme- 
diately and ran to the gate of St. Maixent. He 
found it abandoned. The peasants were in full 
route; — he received a hall which broke his leg, 
and found himself in the middle of the Blues. Fa- 
voured by the night, he escaped to the river, and 
swam his horse. Being then known, they fired at 
him several times: the second discharge killed the 
horse. But the Vendeens, who were on the other 
side, at last succeeded in saving him. 

M. de Lescure, who suffered very much from 
his wound, had a great deal of difHeulty in making 
his escape, and was \erj near being taken. 



147 

The UQ^ morning tlie republicans occupied the 
town, in which they liad not dared to advance 
much during the night. 

M. de Lescure would not allow me to follow 
liim to Parthenay. I had returned from Amaillou 
to Clisson ; he sent a horseman to inform me of 
what was passing. This man arrived in a full gal- 
lop; fear had made him lose his head ; he thought 
himself pursued. He linoeked at my door and 
awoke me, calling out, " M:idam, I come from M. 
de Lescure, who bids you make your escape ; we 
4iave been beaten at Partlienay; fly." A panic seized 
me. I had hardly recollection sufficient to ask if 
any thing had happened to my husband. I dress- 
ed myself in haste, forgetting to fasten my clothes, 
and calling up every body. I ran into the court 
yard, still holding my gown, where finding a com- 
pany of mowers, I told them that it was not a time 
to work, and that they must go and fight. 1 seized 
on the arm of an old man of eighty, bidding him 
conduct me to a farm, the way to which I seemed 
to have forgotten. I dragged the poor man there, 
who could hardly walk, while Iran. 1 soon found, 
however, that all these fears were groundless, M. 
de Lescure having retreated peaceably, and with- 
out being either pursued or injured. I set out for 
Chatillon on horseback, and was quite surpris- 
ed, on entering it, to be eagerly surrounded by the 
people, crying out, " Here she is ! here she is !" 
The report wafe spread that M. de Lescure and I 
had been taken at Parthenay ; every body was in 
consternation. I told them what I knew, and then 



148 

took the road to Boulaye. I found my mother, who, 
o» learning the false news, had determined to go to 
Niort, to perish with me on a scaffold. We were 
very happy to meet ; and she could scarce believe 
her eyes. 

Meanwhile M. de Larochejaquelein saw his gar- 
rison of Saumur diminish every day. Nothing 
could keep the peasants, for they believed all was 
finished, and that there was nothing more to fear. 
They one by one returned to their farm and their 
oxen. M. de Larochejaquelein saw very well, that 
in a little while he should not have a soldier, and 
he employed himself in sending every day to the 
Bocage, poAvder, artillery, and ammunition of all 
kinds. To deceive the inhabitants, he galloped 
every night with some officers through the town, 
crying, '^ Vive le Roi !" At last he found himself 
only the ninth man at Saumur. Three thousand 
republicans had just taken possession of Chinon : 
it was necessary to quit the town. There remained 
two cannon ; he took them away ; but at Thouars 
he was obliged to throw them in the river. He ar- 
rived at Amaillou, the day on wiiich M. de Les- 
cure retired from Parthenay. 

These two gentlemen perceived clearly, they 
had not men enough to defend this district. They 
retreated on Chatillon, to assemble the great army. 
General Westermaun, on his side, advanced with 
about 10,000 men. He entered Parthenay j from 
thence he came to Amaillou, without finding any 
resistance. He set fire to the village. This was the 
beginning of the republican burnings. Westermann 



1*9 

then marched on Clisson : he knew it was the cha- 
teau of M. de Lescure, and imagining he must find 
there a numerous garrison, and experience an ob- 
stinate resistance, he advanced with all his men, 
and not without great precautions, to attack this 
chateau of the chief of the brigands. He arrived 
about nine o'clock at night. Some peasants, con- 
cealed, fired a few shot from the wood and garden, 
which frightened the republicans very much ; but 
they seized some women, and learned there was 
nobody at Clisson, which, besides, was incapable 
of being defended. Westermann then entered, and 
wrote from thence to the convention a triumphant 
letter, which was published in the newspapers, 
sending the will and the picture of M. de Les- 
cure ; and relating, that after having crossed many 
ravines, ditches, and covered ways, he at last 
reached the den of that monster, vomited from hell^ 
and was going to set fire to it. In fact, he had 
straw and faggots brought into the rooms, the gar- 
rets, the stal)le«, and the farm, and took all his 
measures, that nothing should escape the fire. The 
furniture was consumed,* immense quantities of 
corn and hay were not spared ; it was the same 
every where. Afterwards the republican armies 



* M. tie Lcscure, wlio foresaw very well the burning 
of his chateau, had given long before orders to take out 
the furniture ; but learning the terror that this news had 
fipread in the neighbourhood, the inhabitants abandoning 
their farms, &c. he gave counter orders; thus the cha- 
teau was burned, with all the furniture, linen, &c. &c. 



150 

fotiriit even provisions, tliougli llie rest of France 
was suffering from famine, 

I was gone to dine at Chatillon with the gentle, 
men the day they were informed of the burning of 
Clisson. It did not make much impression on us| 
we had long foreseen this event ; but the course of 
Westermann was important ; he had first advanced 
to BressuirCj and was then coming on Chatillon. 
The army was dissolved ; the soldiers had repass- 
ed the Loire only the day before^ returning from 
Nantes. The conflagrations of the Blues frighten- 
ed the peasants ; they wanted^, before they fought, 
to place in safety their wives, their children, and 
their cattle. In short, tiie chiefs were in the great- 
est embarrassment. They began to write requisi- 
tions, and to send couriers to carry them. Horses 
were wanting. M. de Lescure employed me to go 
to the parishes of Treize- Vents and of Mallievre, 
near La Boulaye, to deliver orders. I galloped off; 
and on my arrival, I had the tocsin sounded, deli- 
vered the requisition to the parish council, and ha- 
rangued the peasants the best I could ; going from 
thence to Mallievre to do the same, and sent ex- 
presses to the neighbouring parishes. I then re- 
turned to my mother at La Boulaye. 

Westermann did not allow time for our measures 
to produce an effect; he continued to advance. 
MM. de Lescure and de Larochejaquelein could 
not assemble three thousand men ; wishing, how- 
ever, to deceive him about their strength, they at- 
tempted to defend the heights of the Mill aux 
Chevresj but the soldiers were always ill-disposed, 



151 

and lost courage, when, insteatl of attacking, they 
had to defend themselves. The position was car- 
ried by the republicans, and it became necessary to 
fall back and abandon CluUillon, which is not de- 
fensible. In this battle, M. de la Bigoiiere, an emi- 
grant, had an arm shattered by a cannon ball. He 
would not suffer the peasants to leave off fighting 
to assist him. He hid himself in a cottage, re- 
mained there for Some moments insensible ; and in 
the evening went on foot to a vilhige. He was ta- 
ken to Chollet, where his arm w^as cut off; and a 
month after, hardly cured, he returned to the array, 
and was again wounded. 

During this battle, all the women were, accord- 
ing to their custom, on their knees in prayer, while 
waiting for the event. We listened attentively to 
the noise of cannon, and its distance made us judge 
of the position of the array. Very soon I heard it 
roll louder and nearer. A panic seized me ; I fled, 
without waiting for any thing, crossing the Sevre 
at Mallievre ; then entering a cottage, I dressed 
myself like a country-woman, from head to foot, 
choosing in preference the most tattered clothes; 
then I went to meet my mother, and the inhabitants 
of La Bouiaye, who followed me less precipitate- 
ly, and whom I found again at Mallievre. We 
took the road to Herbiers. In the w^ay, M. do 
Concise came to beg us to stop at his sister's-in-law, 
at the Chateau de Concise ; M. de Talmont and 
my father were there from Nantes. Madame de 
Concise was not yet accustomed to the Vendeen 
manners ; we found her wearins; rouge, and tryinsi: 



to be nervous. But she received us very well. The 
next day we went to Herbiers, where 1 was per- 
suaded to leave off my disguise. My mother was 
very 111 after all was over. She had a great deal 
of self-command, and in the moment of danger, 
she kept her presence of mind ; but suffered the 
more afterwards, for the violent efforts she had 
made ; while I, who yielded to the first emotion, 
forgot the danger as soon as it was past. 



153 



CHAPTER X. 



Retaking of Chdtillon. — Battles of Martigne and 
Vihiers. — Election of M, D^Elbee. — Attack of 
Lufon. 

Westermann took Chatillon, but spared the 
inhabitants. Six hundred republican prisoners 
found there were liberated. The very next day he 
sent a detachment to burn La Durbelliere, M. de 
Larochejaquelein's chateau. It was a vast ancient 
pile, embosomed in woods, and with a wide moat 
round it. The Blues approached still more cau- 
tiously than they had done at Clisson, and retired 
precipitately, after setting fire to it. The peasants 
extinguished the fire as soon as they were gone. 

Meanwhile the chiefs were assembling the grand 
army at Chollet. Westermann expected an attack 
from that side, and had taken precautions ; yet our 
people passed La Sevre, and arrived near Chatil- 
Ipn undiscovered ; at the same time the Te Deum 
was singing by the constitutional bishop of St. 
Maixent. The Vcndeens were numerous, and ex- 
asperated to madness by the taking of Chatillon and 
the burning of their houses. Finding the Blues 
encamped on a heieht near a windmill, the peasants 

U 



crept silently round tliera without firing, till they 
came very near. The astonished republicans did 
not hold out long ; the post was carried, and the 
men killed at their guns. In an instant the route 
was complete; ammunition wagons and cannons, 
overturned in the rapid descent leading to Chatil- 
lon, increased the disorder ; reinforcements met on 
the road were driven back by the runaways ; 
Westermann himself escaped with difficulty, at the 
head of 300 horsemen. 

The enraged peasants, flushed by victory, gave 
no quarter. It was in vain the officers called to the 
republicans, ^^ Surrender, you shall have your 
lives ;'' — the men went on killing. In the town 
the carnage was still more dreadful. M. de Les- 
cure, who commanded the vanguard, passing 
through Chatillon in the pursuit, had ordered some 
hundreds of prisoners to be confined ; but the pea- 
sants cut them down, and were countenanced by 
M. de Marigny. M. d'Ell)ee and others, wanting 
to put a stop to this, saw muskets levelled at them- 
selves. M. de Lescure, informed of this, came 
back immediately ; about sixty prisoners pressed 
round him, holding by his clothes and his horse. 
His appearance at the prison put a stop to the dis- 
order, for the soldiers respected him too much not 
to obey him. But M. de Marigny called to him, 
" Gro away, — let me kill these monsters ; — did they 
not burn your chateau ?'' M. de Lescure entreated 
him to cease, and said he was determined to defend 
the prisoners against every body.' Although the 
massacre was stopped at Chatillon, most of the run. 



155 

aways were knocked down about the fields in tlieir 
flight. It was the burning of the village of Aniail- 
lou particularly which had excited such a rage 
among the peasants. They made more than four 
thousand prisoners. The whole baggage of the 
republican army fell into their hands, even Wes- 
tern! ann's carriage.* 

During the battle, M. Richard, a surgeon, see- 
ing a hussar rushing on M. de Lescure, threw liim- 
self between them, and received a shot in the eye, 
which came out behind the neck. He survived the 
wound. 

M. de la Tresoriere, made prisoner before by the 
Vendeens, and delivered by Westermann when he 
took Chatillon, had interfered efitectually in favour 
of the inhabitants. Instead of making his escape 
with the Blues, he surrendered himself as a priso- 
ner again, and asked to be received in the Yendeen 
army as a common soldier. He behaved so well 
in the ranks that he was soon made an officer. 

We had waited for the event of the battle with 
the utmost anxiety at Herbiers. As soon as it was 
known we returned to La Boulaye, where M. de 



*Four young officers had the imprudence to break open 
the strong box in that carriage, which raised a suspicion 
that they iiad taken money out of it. But M. de Lescure, 
having declared in the council of war, that the brave Du- 
perat one of the four, had given him his word of honour 
that they found nothing in the box, the high character of 
that young man cleared them. 



156 

Lescure also came to have liis wound, which 
was very painful, properly attended to. 

After a few days rest, news came that the repub- 
licans, changing their plans, were going to attack 
La Vendee, by the bridge of Oe m Anjou, and 
preparations were made according[y. 

The 15th of July the republican army, after 
passing Ce, came by Brissac to Martigue. The 
Vendeen army was ready. M. de Bonchamp com- 
manded his division in person for the first time 
since he had been wounded at Fontenay. He and 
M. de Lescure wanted to maixh all night by a short 
cut to the enemy, to avoid the heat, which was ex- 
treme. An old M. de , who had joined the 

army for the first time, insisted upon taking ano- 
ther road, shorter and better. Being an old sol- 
dier, seventy years of age, his opinion was adopted. 

The peasants had three leagues to march, and 
reached Martigne much exhausted, yet the advan- 
tage was on their side at first. They took five 
cannon ; but M. de Marigny, in attempting to turn 
the enemy at the head of a detachment of cavalry, 
missed the way, and returned at full gallop. The 
dust prevented our people from knowing him, and 
they thought it was the enemy, and fell back, car- 
rying with them three pieces of the enemy. There 
was no bringing them on again, the heat was so 
overpowering. M. de Bonchamp had his elbow 
shattered by a ball; a very good officer of his divi- 
sion, Vannier, who had been valet- de-chambre of 
M. de Auticharap, was severely but not dange- 
rously wounded. 



157 

The republicans, owing to the heat, did not pur- 
sue, and our loss was trifling; but more than fifty 
peasants perished by drinking water, either too 
cold or of a bad quality. M. de Lescure, exhaust- 
ed chiefly by calling aloud to the soldiers, having 
also drank of that water, was in a swoon during 
two hours. 

MM. de Lescure and de Larochejaqnelein re- 
turned to Chollet to rally their forces. The repub- 
licans went on to Vihiers and Coron. Our gene- 
rals hastened that way, where fortunately the pa- 
rishes were populous, and had always furnished 
the best soldiers we had. On the 18th, having a 
Bufficient number of peasants, the Blues were at- 
tacked; MM. de Lescure and de Larochejaquelefn 
had not arrived, nor any of the chief officers; 
L'Abhe Bernier persuaded the soldiers that their 
generals were on the spot, gave excellent directions, 
and in a great degree managed the whole. MM. de 
Villeneuve, Keller, de Piron, de Marsange, Fo- 
restier, Foret, Herbauld, Guignard, led on with 
courage and ability. In about three (garters of an 
hour the republicans were routed, and abandoned 
their cannon and ammunition. General Santerre, 
who commanded, fled one of the first. The Ven- 
deens knew he was there, and had a great desire 
to take the man who had presided at the execution 
of the King, and intended to chain him in an iron 
cage. Forfct was close at his heels, and on the 
point of seizing him, when Santerre made his horse 
leap over a wall six feet high. M. de Villeneuve 
was likewise very near taking the representative 



138 

Bourbotte, who leapt from liis horse behind a 
hedge. The Bhies burnt Vihiers in their flight, 
which did not displease the Vendeens, as it had al- 
ways favoured the republicans. Only three houses 
were saved ; one belonged to the only royalist in 
the town. 

MM. de Lescure and de Larochejaquelein hear- 
ing the cannon, guessed immediately that the at- 
tack had been made twenty-four hours before the 
appointed time. They repaired to the spot iri haste, 
and found the peasants bringing away cannon. M. 
de Lescure asked, '^ What is all this ?"— "^^ What, 
Greneral, were you not at the battle ? It must have 
been M. Henri who commanded us I'" Other pea- 
sants said the same thing to M. de Larochejaquelein. 
The officers owned afterwards to the generals that 
they had used their names to encourage the sol- 
diers. The defeat of the republicans had been so 
Complete, that the country was entirely fieed from 
them ; they had gone to Saumur. 

The head-quarters were again at Chatillon. 
llining the|;e, I was witness of a scene shewing 
the character of the Vendeen soldiers. An offi- 
cer had sent to prison two millers of the parish 
of Treize- Vents, for some trifling fault; they 
were good soldiers, and loved by their com- 
r^ides. The peasants began to murmur, saying 
they were treated too harshly ; forty men of the 
parish went to the prison, declaring they were 
as guilty as the prisoners, and they must be 
confined too. Beauvolliers came to tell me of 
this, and 4idvised I should ask their pardon from 



159 

M. de Lescure, that he might not appear te 
yield to a clamour. I repaired to the spot, told 
the peasants that I should speak in favour of 
their comrades, because the chateau of La Boulaye 
was in the parish of Treize-Vcnts. M. de Lescure 
appeared afterwards to grant my request. I went 
myself to the prison, followed by all the peasants, 
and had the prisoners set at liberty. <* Wc are 
very thankful to you, my lady,'' the people of 
Treize- Vents said, " but it was wrong, notwith- 
standing, to have put these men in prison." Such 
were our soldiers, perfectly obedient in battle ; out 
of it, considering themselves as free. 

Meanwhile the brave Cathelineau sunk under 
his wounds, which had never allowed a moment's 
hope of his life. The question was to replace 
him. It was very evident how advantageous it 
*W'ould be to name a commander-in-chief, not only 
for the great army, but for all the Vendeen forced. 
In this view they proceeded to the election ; but, 
as the ranks were not well defined, it was scarcely 
known who ought to have the privilege of voting ; 
and, instead of assembling deputies from each di- 
vision, the business was all managed by a little 
manoeuvring of M. d'Elbee's. Some officers of 
the divisions of MM. de Charrette, de Bonchamp, 
and de Royrand, but who were not at all distin- 
guished, except by their attachment to M. d'Elbee, 
met a number of officers from the grand army, and 
they agreed that four names should be written in 
each ticket, and that he who had the most votes 
should be generalissimo ; the four highest aB(*r 



16Q 

this were to be next in rank, ajtid clioose each one 
under them. The council of war was to consist of 
these nine persons, who were to decide on all ope- 
rations. M. d'Elbee was named commander-in- 
chief. M. de Bonchamp, who, according to the 
opinion of all sensible people, ought to have been 
named, was detained at Jallais by his wounds, and 
his division remained in Anjou. M. de Charrette 
scarce knew that such a nomination was in agita- 
tion ; M. de Larochejaquelein did not think about 
it; M. de Lescure was sick, and quite unfit far all 
manoeuvring, as well as my father. The four gene- 
rals of division were MM. de Bonchamp, de Les- 
cure, de Donnissan, and de Royrand, M. de Les- 
cure chose for his lieutenant M. de Larochejaque- 
lein; M. de Royrand, I know not why, M. de 
(j*^** . ]yf . (]e Bonchamp, I believe, did not choose 
any body. As for my father, seeing that, in th» 
general formation of the army, M. de Chax'rette 
had been forgotten, he named him. M. de Char- 
rette was very sensible of this mark of attention of 
my father ; but he found the whole arrangement ot 
Ihe nomination very ridiculous. M. de Bonchamp 
wrote from his bed these few words to M. d'ElbeC : 
** Sir, I congratulate you on your election ; it has 
probably been your great talents which have de- 
termined the votes." This, however, did not in- 
terrupt their good understanding. 

This nomination of M. d'Elbee appeared sin- 
gular ; but nothing more was said of it. He wa? 
a man of courage and principles. The officers 
knew he would let them do as they pleased^ and 



161 

that things would go as they had done, quite satis- 
fied with having the title of commander-in-chief, 
to which his ambition was confined. They did not 
think of objecting to what had been done. 

M. d'Elbee, on the other hand, to make his elec- 
tion forgiven, and to shew his affability, made more 
bows and compliments than ever, lavishing them 
on the least aide-de-camp. 

M. de Talmont continued to command the ca- 
valry, and M. de Marigny the artillery, having 
under him M. de Perault, who had been some 
time in the army. He was an officer of the ma- 
rines, and Chevalier de St. Louis, about fifty years 
of age. He shewed constantly a great deal of 
bravery, merit, and modesty. MM. de Marigny 
^nd de Perault, entirely occupied with their du- 
ty, remained always united, without jealousy or 
rivalry. 

Many other officers had joined successively the 
Vendeen army. It is a duty and a consolation to 
me to place their names here, and to contribute all 
in my power to honour their memory. 1 would 
wish not to omit any. M. de Lacroix, an emi- 
grant, and Chevalier de St. Louis, was a very brave 
and good man, and without any pretensions. M. 
Roger Moulinier was active, but harsh and strict j 
his soldiers feared him, and had confidence in him 
on account of his excessive bravery. The Chevr;- 
lier Durivault of Poitiers : M. de Lescure chose 
him for aide-decamp, and never had reason to re- 
pent it. A brother of MM. de Beauvolliers, fifteen 
years old, came to the army, and, having shewn 

X 



162 

some deficiency of courage the first time he saw an 
engagement, M. de Beaiivolliers the elder re- 
proached hina pulilicly ; since then^, he has always 
been worthy of his family. 

I shall add to the names of these officers, whom 
I have had the opportunity of knowing more par- 
ticularly, those of MM. de Chanterean, de Dieuzy, 
Caquerey, Bernes, pages of the King; MM. Beaud 
de Bellevue, Bernard de Cerizais, Blouin de Ro- 
chefort, Bonin des Aubiers, Pallierne, Frey, de 
Brunet, de Brocour, Genest, deJosselin, Morinais 
de Nesde, de la Pelouze, the brothers de Saujeon, 
Tranquille, d'Izernay, Valois, Texier, de Courlay, 
and another Texier, an officer of artillery, well 
known in the army for his bravery. 

In the beginning, all the deserters from the re- 
publicans became officers in the Vendeen army ; 
but their number becoming rather considerable, 
they were formed into three companies ; one French, 
commanded by M. de Fe ; the other German ; the 
third Swiss ; each about 1^0 men, and mounted 
guard regularly atMortagne, where the magazines 
were. The Swiss company was almost entirely 
composed of fugitives from a detachment of the un- 
fortunate regiment of guards. They were quarter- 
ed in Normandy at the time of the slaughter of their 
countrymen, the 10th of August, and breathed re- 
venge ; — they all fought desperately. M. Keller, 
a Swiss, one of the/ bravest and finest-looking men 
in the army, commanded them. These companies 
did not fight in a line, and would have been over- 



163 

powered if they had not followed the irregular 
mode of warfare of the peasants. 

Immediately after M. d'Elbee's election, the ar- 
my returned to attack the republicans. M. de Bon- 
champ's division had beaten them twice, and forced 
them to repass the Loire. MM. d'Elbee and de 
Larochejaquelein went to Thouars, and met with 
little resistance on that side ; Henri even made an 
excursion as far as Loudun. During that time, M. 
de Lescure, who was not well, remained at La 
Boulaye. He received a letter there from an officer 
of M. (le Royrand's division, asking for immediate 
assistance from the grand army. This division had 
acted sometimes in concert with our generals. In 
the beginning of the war, it had brilliant successes 
at Chantonnay. Since then, it had defended the 
district of Montaigu, and the road from Fontenay 
to Nantes, against some attacks, and made one un- 
successful attempt to enter Lucon. M. dc Royrand 
was a man of great merit, and had some distin- 
guished officers, MM. Sapineau de la Verrie^ the 
brothers Bejarry de Verteuil, de Grelier, &c. ; but 
some of them were very indifferent, and the soldiers 
were thought the worst of any we had. 

The republicans leaving Lugon, attacked the 
bridge of Charron and Chantonnay, and carried 
both ; they took M. Sapineau de la Verrie prisoner, 
and put him to death. The news of these reverses 
induced M. de Lescure to set out immediately fot 
M. de Royrand's division. Other generals, then 
at Argenton, joined him at Herbiers, where the ar- 
my assembled. 



I64i 

The republicans retired to Lu§on ; we attacked 
them there, at first with advantage ; but some sol- 
diers and even officers having began to pillage the 
neighbouring houses, occasioned disorder, and the 
enemy took advantage of it. Our generals could 
not rally the soldiers, nor bring back victory, not- 
withstanding their courageous efforts. M. de Tal- 
rnont distinguished himself very much at the head 
of the cavalry, and his firmness contributed to save 
the army. M. de Lescure had his horse wounded ; 
M. de Elbee run some risk of being taken. 

This march of the army was of no service, ex- 
cept recovering the important post of Chantonnay» 
The men had been called together suddenly, and 
bad not mustered in great numbers, being harvest 
time. The affair of Lu^on, however, would have 
ended differently, had it not been for the irregula- 
rities in which two or three of the officers were im- 
plicated. There was an idea of trying the guilty 
by a court-martial, but this was given up for fear of 
disgusting the soldiers, as it would have been ne= 
cessary to punish some of the inferior officers. The 
good will of the army was not compatible with 
strict discipline, yet the cases requiring punish- 
ment were fortunately very uncommon. M. 

who commanded at was broke, and the de=^ 

feat was announced as a punishment of God. 



165 ^ 






CHAPTER XI. 



Arrival of M, de Tinteniac.^— Second Battle ofLu- 
gon. — Victory of Chantonnay, 

After the battle of Lugon^ the army returned 
to defend La Vendee, which was now attacked in- 
cessantly, and upon all sides. The division of 
Bonchamp protected Anjou, and the left bank of 
the Loire ; M . de Larochejaquelein was posted on 
the side of Thouars and Done; M. de Lescure 
fofraed a camp at St. Sauveur, near Bressuire ; 
and M. de Royrand occupied Chantonnay, and 
his principal forces concentrated at the camp of 
L'Oie, as formerly ; M. de Charrette was then car- 
rying on a more active war. At all these points 
successes were various, but the republicans were 
not able to penetrate the Bocage. 

The peasants had been forbidden to send cattle 
to market in those towns which were not in the 
possession of the Vendeens. M. de Lescure, learn- 
ing that, notwithstanding this prohibition, the mar- 
ket of Parthenay was well supplied, went there 
with a party, seized all the cattle that were for sale, 
and sent them to Ch^tillon. His life was that day 
in great danger. Passing through a street, at the 



166 

head of* some dragoons, and conversing with M. 
de Marsanges, a gendarme on horseback, who was 
concealed behind a gate, sprung forward, and fired 
a pistol almost close to his breast. The shot passed 
between him and M. de Marsanges. The gendarme 
then turned, and fled at full gallop, but was over- 
taken and killed by the dragoons. 

A proclamation had been issued for some time 
past, announcing to the republicans that they must 
expect retaliation for all shootings, burnings, &c. 

According to this declaration, Parthenay ought 
to have been burnt, as many of the inhabitants had 
accompanied Weslermann, the only one who had 
yet pursued such measures. M. de Lescure as- 
sembled the inhabitants, and said to them, '^It is 
very fortunate for you that it is me that took your 
town ; for if I burnt it, as I ought, it might be at- 
tributed to personal revenge for the burning* of 
Clisson ; — ^I shall llierefore spare you.'^ He took, 
however, two of the administrators' wives as hos- 
tages, and shut his eyes to some pillage, although 
very repugnant to his feelings. The soldiers, tak- 
ing advantage of tliis, made havoc in some houses^ 
but committed no personal violence j and a woman 
having been killed by chance at a window, the 
Vendeens felt so much concern, that they gave a 
thousand francs to her family, I ought to add here, 
for the honour of our armies, that, notwithstanding 
the announced retaliation, it was never put in exe- 
cution. The royalists could not bring themselves 
to imitate the burnings, the massacres and the cru- 
elties of the Blues ! The humanity of the Vendeeos 



167 

is as celebrated as their valour^ and caluiiuiy never 
dared to asperse either. 

In order to retrieve the defeat of Lu§on effectual- 
ly, it became necessary to bring greater forces into 
the field, and take better measures. It was there- 
fore resolved upon, that the division of Boncbamp 
should be left for the defence of Anjou, and that 
active operations should be concerted between MM. 
de Charrette, de Royrand, and the generals of the 
grand army ; and M. d'Elbee was sent to collect 
the troops on the side of Beaupreau. 
- At this very moment, M. le Chevalier de Tin- 
teniac arrived from England, sent by the govern- 
ment of that country to the insurgent chiefs. He 
had during the night landed alone from a fishing- 
boat, on the coast of St. Malo. He was unac- 
quainted with the roads, and had not even taken 
the precaution of having false passports. At three 
in the morning he passed through the town of Cha- 
teau Neuf. 

They called to him, "Who goes there?" he 
answered, " A citizen," and walked on. When 
the day broke, not knowing how to proceed, he 
accosted a peasant. After some conversation, he 
determined to confide in him, and risk his life, by 
telling him he was an emigrant, and was seeking 
his way into La Vendee. The peasant led him to 
his cottage, and kept him two days, while the mu- 
nicipality was consulted. The people in this part 
of Brittany were so inimical to the revolution, that 
in most of the parishes there was hardly one indi- 
vidual favourable to it. The municipality made 



168 

M. de Tinteuiac put on a disguise, and gave him 
a guide. He procured others successively in every 
parish, and was brought in safety to the banks of 
the Loire, where, after having travelled fifty 
leagues on foot in five nights, be had the good for- 
tune to get faithful watermen, who carried him 
across the river, through the armed vessels of the 
republicans. He was landed near where the divi- 
sion of M. de Lyrot was encamped, and from thence 
an officer conducted him to Boulaye, where there 
were staff- officers. 

The insurgents never till that time had any com- 
munication with England. While at Noirmoutier, 
M. de Charrette had sent one of the MM. la Ro- 
berie, but he Was lost in the passage ; and another 
agent, M. de la Godelliere, arrived safe in Eng- 
land, but having lost his papers, could not be ac- 
credited there, and was lost himself afterwards on 
his return. M. de Tinteniac belonged to one of th& 
first families of Brittany. He was thirty years of 
age, a small man, but appeared quick and intelli> 
gent. He carried his despatches as wadding, in two 
pistols. 

He found at Boulaye my father, M. de Lescure, 
M. de Larochejaquelein, the Bishop of Agra, and 
the Chevalier Desessarts, who received him at first 
with some distrust, and expressed surprise that 
such a commission had not been given to a Yen- 
deen emigrant. 

M. de Tinteniac said, that some of them had re- 
fused ; and then, with a frankness that did him 
great credit, he added, ^^ I will own to you, gen- 



169 

tleraen, that, intlependent of my attachment to your 
cause, I wished to expiate the errors of my early 
youth, which have been very great, by an action 
dangerous as meritorious." 

His despatches were from Mr. Dundas, and 
from the Governor of Jersey. They contained 
praises of the constancy and bravery of the insur- 
gents, and. expressed an earnest desire to afford 
them every assistance. Nine questions were pro- 
posed, to which precise answers were requested. 

The ignorance of the English in all that con- 
CTrned us, was so complete, that the letters were 
addressed to M. Gaston, the barber, wlio was kill- 
ed at the beginning of the war, and who, M. de 
Tinteniac told us, was supposed in London to be 
the officer who commanded atLongwy. We were 
extremely surprised at this ignorance, as, for along 
while past, the proclamations of our generals had 
been inserted in the newspapers ; and were, there- 
fore, led to conclude, that the English, instead of 
zeal for the royal cause, felt great indifference to- 
wards continental affairs, or from some motive pre- 
tended ignorance. 

They desired to know what the real object of 
our revolt was, and the nature of our opinions ? 
What occasioned tiie rising of the country ? Why 
we did not endeavour to establish a correspond- 
ence with England? What connexion we had 
with the other provinces, or with the continental 
powers? Of what extent was the insurgent coun- 
try? The number of soldiers? What our re- 
sources were? What ammunition of all kinds we 

Y 



170 

had ? How did we procure tliem ? And, lastly, 
What kind of assistance did we require? And 
wliat place appeared to us the proper one for a 
landing? 

The despatches were written with a tone of 
sincerity, and apprehension that we might reject 
the offers of England. They seemed also uncertain 
what our views were ; whether we were inclined 
to support the ancient constitution, the opinions of 
the constituent assembly, or the Girondin faction. 

Mutual confidence was soon established between 
our generals and M. de Tinteniac. He saAV us as 
we were, and dispelled all our doubts respecting 
himself, by laying aside the diplomatic reserve of 
an English envoy, and opening his heart to us. 
He told us, that in England nothing was known 
with precision respecting La Vendee. It was sup- 
posed that about 40,000 revolted troops of the line 
had begun the insurrection, and that it was, as in 
Normandy, excited by the republican party of Gi- 
ronde. We knew that our princes could have no 
share in the mission of M. de Tinteniac, as none of 
them were at that time in England. He assured 
us, that the English government appeared much 
disposed to assist us, and that all seemed ready for 
a landing on the coast of France ; but still he could 
not help suspecting these appearances, as he was 
dissatisfied with the conduct of the English minis- 
try towards the emigrants. Many of them, desirous 
of joinins; the insurgents, had wished to sail from 
Jersey to the coast of France, but that an or- 
der from government had prohibited pilots, under 



171 

pain of death, carrying them there. M. de Tinte- 
niac aloDe, ou account of his mission, had been al- 
lowed to embark. 

A speedy answer was required, as M. de Tin- 
teniac was to pass only four days in La Vendee, 
his guide having been appointed to meet him on a 
certain day, on the other side of the Loire. I could 
then write a small and legible hand. I was em- 
ployed, as their secretary, to write the despatches 
that were to travel in M. de Tinteniac's pistols. I 
do not believe there is now alive any one of the 
persons who signed them, and 1 alone, perhaps, 
can give the particulars of this correspondence. 

They answered the English minister with suffi- 
cient openness, and explained the political views 
of the Vendeens. That the impossibility of com- 
munication had been the sole cause of their not hav- 
ing solicited succours, which were extremely want- 
ed. Care was taken, however, to exaggerate a lit- 
tle our strength, lest the English should be led to 
fear that their exertions might be misplaced. They 
advised a landing at Sables, or at Paimboeuf, pro- 
mising to join them with 50,000 men, at a place 
and day fixed. We informed them that M. de 
Charrette had lost Pile de Noirmoutier, but that he 
could easily possess the port of St. Gilles. As to 
Rochefort, Rochelle, and L'Orient, which the 
English had mentioned in their letter, we stated 
how difficult it would be for us to take possession 
of these ports. 

It must be acknowledged that, considering the 
facilities we oifered to the English for a landing. 



i7^ 

and that they seemed already prepared, they evin- 
ced at least a great tardiness in adopting the mea- 
sure. 

It was particularly and urgently desired, thatth6 
forces landed should be commanded by a Bourbon 
PrincCj and in a great part composed of emigrants, 
and that, in that case^ they might rely on complete 
success. We said that 20,000 young men should 
join the troops, and accompany them out of their 
own country; and that, on crossing the Loire, we 
knew all Brittany would rise^ being assured of the 
sentiments of this province, although not in direct 
correspondence. 

All the generals who were at Boulaye signed 
this answer, and the Bishop of Agra boldly added 
his name. The generals wrote also to the princes, 
assuring them of their devotion and profound obe- 
dience, and expressing the earnest desire they had 
to see one of them in La Yendee. This letter was 
short, because the English ministry were to read 
it; but M. de Tinteniac had seen enougli to relate 
verbally every particular to the princes. We 
pressed upon him the interests of La Vendee, and 
frankly shewed him how much it stood in need of 
assistance; at the same time, repeatedly assuring 
him, that a prince with 10,000 men, even without 
arms or money, would be sufficient to ensure suc- 
cess. On every point he was told the exact truth, 
that he might repeat it to the princes. 

As neither M. d'Elbee, nor M. de Bonchamp 
were present, the generals at Boulaye were desi- 
rous that M. de Tinteniac should see them, and 



173 

receive their assent to all that had been done ; and 
he set out with the intention of seeing them on his 
way, but, I believe, did not accomplish it. He ex- 
pressed extreme regret in leaving us on the eve of 
an important battle; and would have wished to join 
the Vendeens, in an attack of Lncon, which was 
then preparing, and, at the desire of some Swiss, 
fixed for the 10th of Angust. Our generals, how- 
ever, representing to him that it would be much 
more useful for him to hasten to England, he set 
out for the camp of M. de Lyrot, from which apa- 
trole escorted him to the other side of the Loire, 
where he found his guide ; and, travelling by night, 
arrived at the house of a good peasant near Chateau 
Neuf. Here he found means of sailing to Jersey, 
and from thence was sent to England, but I have 
heard that his despatches were lost at sea. Since 
that, in the year 1794', he made more than once 
this perilous journey, and conducted the intercourse 
between England and La Vendee, with extraordi- 
nary courage and address. At one lime he swam 
across the Loire, holding his despatches in his 
teeth. And it is asserted, that being once in the 
middle of Nantes, and finding himself near the fe- 
rocious Carrier, he escaped, by threatening to blow 
out his brains. In the year ITOTi, he headed a di- 
vision of insurgent Bretons, to favour the descent at 
Q^uiberon. 

The unfortunate result of this expedition did not 
discourage him from supporting the war with de- 
termined resolution, at the h(^ad of his smi'.ll troop. 
He was killed at last, figlitiug bravely. The in- 



174^ 

trepid M. de Tinteiiiac was, in charactei» and ta- 
lents, one of the most distinguished men that has 
appeared during the civil war. 

The preparations for the attack of Lucon were 
not so speedy as had been hoped for ; and it was 
only on the ISth that the army were all assembled 
at the camp of I'Oie. A council of war was held, 
but, instead of its admitting as formerly all the 
distinguished officers, it was formed according to 
the regulations adopted since the election of M. 
d'Elhee. 

They had to fight in an open plain, — a new and 
difficult thing to the Vendeens. M. de Lescure 
proposed arranging the divisions behind each other, 
in such a manner that they could successively sup- 
port, and warmly urged the advantages of this 
plan, which was adopted. MM. de Charretteand de 
Lescure were appointed to lead the left wing, which 
was to begin the attack ; MM. d'Elbee, de Roy- 
rand, and my father, were to command the centre; 
MM. de Larochejacjuelein and de Marigny the 
right wing. MM. de Charette and de Lescure 
began the action with great spirit. They had heard 
much of each other, and emulation added a new 
incitement to theif usual bravery and desire of suc- 
cess. The Blues fell back at first, and the left 
wing had already taken five cannon, when they 
perceived the centre did not follow the movement. 
M. d'Elbee had given no instructions to his offi- 
cers ; and his soldiers, intending to fight accord- 
ing to their usual custom, by running upon the 
enemy, M. d'Elbee stopped them, and called re- 



±75 

peatedly, " Form your lines, my friends, by my 
horse." 

M. Herbauldj who commanded a part of the 
centre, and who knew nothing of this circumstance, 
led his soldiers forward, without suspecting that 
the others did not follow. The republican general, 
seizing the moment of this disorder, made a ma- 
noeuvre with the light artillery, which entirely se- 
parated M. d'Elbee's division ; and this being fol- 
lowed by a cliarge of cavalry, the rout became 
complete. During tliis time M. de Marigny hav- 
ing mistaken the road, arrived on the field only to 
witness the defeat. M. de Larochejaquelein suc- 
ceeded in covering the retreat, and saved many 
lives by a timely removal of an overturned wagon 
from the bridge of Bessay. In tlie midst of tliis 
rout of the centre, forty peasants of Courlay, with 
crossed bayonets, sustained the whole charge of 
cavalry without losing ground. These brave men 
belonged to the division of JNI. de Lescure, and 
were from a parish he had always particularly es- 
teemed. 

Tliis unfortunate affair, the most disastrous that 
had yet taken place, cost many lives. The light 
artillery acted with great effect on the level plain; 
and the peasants had never taken Hight insomuch 
terror and disorder. We lost only two officers, 
M. Baudry d'Asson, w ho had hegun the war in 
iry-^, and M. Morinais of Chatillon. 

M. tie Leseure was blamed for having proposed 
an ot'.n r of battle, which, though proper for troops 
of the line, was nearly impracticable with the pea- 



i76 

gants and most part of ou? oiScers ; and for having 
pertinaciously insisted on the adoption of that plan. 
On his part he reproached M. d'Elbee with having 
done nothing to make it siiicceed. M. d'Elbee an- 
swered, " The plan was yours, Sir, and you ought 
to have directed the whole." — ''But once adopt- 
ed,'' replied M. de Lescure, ^^ it belonged to the 
general to see it executed. You conferred the 
command of the left wing on M. de Charrette and 
me. We have beat the enemy, and done our duty.'' I 
ought to mention, that the republican generals had 
been apprised by spies of the intended march of 
our army, and the hour of attack ; and that some 
troops, who did not belong to the country, desert- 
ed during the battle. 

M. de Charrette returned into his canton after 
the retreat, made in good order, with M. de Les- 
cure. They parted with mutual expressions of 
esteem. I had sent|a messenger to gain intelli- 
gence of the battle, Vvho not finding M. de Les- 
cure immediately, M. de Charrette was so good 
as to write to me. His letter was extremely kind, 
and expressive of great admiration for my hus- 
band. 

The Blues again occupied Chantonnay. We 
were much distressed at seeing them tlius estab- 
lished in the Bocage, and, in a situation, too, from 
which it was of the greatest importance to remove 
them. A new plan was concerted with M. de 
Hoyrand, He made a false attack on the side of 
the four roads, while the grand army, making a 
great circuit, assailed the republican rear-guard 



177 

towards the. bridge of Charron. The victory 
was due to Bonclianip's division, commandi^d 
by M. d'Autichamp, who, with great intrepidity, 
carried the entrenchments. Thus surrounded, 
the defeat of the Blues was terrible. The ereat 
roads were intercepted, and their columns bewil- 
dered in the Bocage. They lost both their can- 
non and baggage, and seldom had suffered so 
great a loss of men. A battalion that had as- 
sumed the name of the " Avenger," and had never 
given quarter to any Vendeen, was wholly exter- 
minated. 

The little Chevalier de Mondyon behaved in a 
very remarkable manner on this day. He happened 
lobe near a tall officer, who, less brave than him- 
self, proposed to withdraw, under pretence of being 
wounded. " I don't see that,'' said the boy ; 
" and, as your retiring will discourage our sol- 
diers, I will shoot you tlirougb the head if you re- 
treat a single step." As he was very capable of 
doing this, the officer remained at his post. 

After the victory of Chantounay, nearly all 
the chiefs assembled at Herbiers, to consult oa 
means of defence, as every day the dangers in- 
creased. 

The republican armies were become more nu- 
merous, better organised, and commanded by abler 
generals. The garrisons of Mayence, Valencien- 
nes, and Conde, whom the foreign powers had, by 
the articles of capitulation, left at liberty to serve 
in the interior of France, were mostly sent post to 

% 



178 

ilm attack of La Vendee. Our situation was ex- 
tremely critical. M. de Elbee preserved his title 
of generalissimo ; but the insurgent territory hav- 
ing been divided into four portions, each was un- 
der a distinct command. M. de Charette com- 
Kiftnded the environs of Nantes, and the coast; M, 
de Bonchamp, the borders of the Loire in Anjou ; 
M. de Laroehejaquelein, the rest of the insurgent 
part of Anjou ; M. de Lescure, all the Haute Ven- 
dee ia Poitou. They had wished to unite to his 
army the troops of M. Hoyrand, and give him 
another appointment ; but M. de Lescure shewed 
so little anxiety about it, that M. de Koyrand might 
be said to have a fifth command. M. de Talraont 
remained general in chief of the cavalry; M. de 
Marigny of the artillery ; and Stofilet was named 
major-general. My father was created governor- 
general of all the insurgent country, and president 
of the council of war ; M. de !Royrand lieutenant- 
governor ; MM. Duhoux Hautrive and de Boisy, 
assistants. This staiF was stationed at Mortagne. 
The superior council, which had given much 
satisfaction, remained at Chatillon. It had as- 
sumed rather too much ; but was more ridiculous 
than oppressive. It was determined that the uni- 
form of the officers shoukl be a green vest, with 
white or black facings, &c. according to the divi- 
sions ; but this was not done. Each division was 
to have a corps of twelve hun dred select men, paid 
and trained as troops of the line, and subjected to 
the same discipline ; but this corps could not be 



179 

formed. Finally, it was determined tliat the for- 
mer council of war, to which all the distinguished 
oflBcers were admitted, should be re-established; — 
the select council had only been once held, on the 
eve of the unfortunate affair of Lucon. The reit- 
erated attacks of the republican armies did not 
allow leisure for the execution of all the measures 
agreed upon at this last conference of Herbiers. 
When it was terminated, the chiefs separated; each 
repairing to his district. M. de Lescure returned 
to his camp at St. Sauveur, and remained there 
tmdisturbed for some days. Being there on his 
estate, many of the peasants offered to pay him the 
suppressed rents. He told them, it was not to 
recover these that he fought; that their own suffer- 
ings were enough to entitle them to this slight in- 
demnity ; and that, at any rate, he would not take 
advantage of their superior honesty, and receive 
from them what no one else in France would pay. 
M. de Lescure had soon afterwards two skir- 
mishes with the republicans, who came to attack 
him from St. Maixent, and then from d'Airvault, 
where they had formed a camp. Tiie success 
was not very decided on either side, and each re- 
mained in their cantonments. At this time M. dc 
Maignan, aged seventy, who had a place in the 
superior council, determined to take an active part 
in the war. This good old man went to M. de 
Lescure, and desired to serve under him ; and none 
shewed more zeal and courage. The officers and 
M. de Lescure always called him their father. It 
was then also that M. AUard from Rochelle came 



180 

and offered his services. Chance led him to ad- 
dress himself to my mother, who, affected by the 
manner in wlsicli he made his request, begged M. 
de Larochejaqoelein to appoint him his aid- de- 
camp, and he soon became his intimate friend and 
worthy fellow soldier. 



181 



CHAPTER XII. 



Battles of La Roche Erigne, Mavtigne, Doiie^ 
ThouarSf Coron, Beaulieu, Torfou, Montaigu^ 
St. Fulgent. — Attack of the Convoy from Clis- 
son. 

I AM now come to a disastrous period, where 
I shall no longer have to relate the successes and 
hopes of the Vendeens ; — their courage serving 
only to lead them to new misfortunes. 

The insurgent country was surrounded by 240,000 
men ; a great part of this force was from the levees 
en masse made in the neighbouring provinces ; but 
they had besides some excellent troops. Dreadful 
measures had been adopted. The republicans 
burnt and destroyed every thing; their victories 
w ere followed by massacres ; neither women nor 
children were spared; and, finally, the Convention 
gave orders that the whole countiy should be turn- 
ed into a desert, without a man, without a house, 
without a tree. 

It was the division of Bonchamp, which, in the 
first days of September, began to act against the 
vast armies which surrounded us. They attacked 
La Roche d'Erignc, where the republicans had es- 
tablished a camp, which defended the bridges of 
Ce, and carried the position. 



182 

At the same time a party of the grand armj;, 
commanded by M. de Larochejaqueleiiij went to- 
wards Martigne. The enemy, trusting to their 
superior force, attacked them. The combat was 
obstinate and bloody. Henri was in a hollow way 
giving orders, when, a ball sti*uck his hand, break- 
ing his thumb in three places, and hitting his elbow. 
He did not drop a pistol which he held at that mo- 
ment, but said to his servant. ^' Look if my elbow 
bleeds.''—^* No, Bir.'^— " Well then, it is only my 
thumb broken," and he continued to direct his 
troops. The night coming on, prevented the Ven- 
deensfrom reaping the advantage they had gained, 
and the enemy retreated to Doue. 

The next day the division of Boncliamp joined 
that of M. de Larochcjaqueleio, whose wound 
obliged him to retire. Stofliet took the command, 
and marched to Doue, where the republicans were 
entrenched. They attacked them at iirst with suc- 
cess, but a charge of cavalry made the right of the 
Tendeens fall back, and threw them into disorder, 
and at the same moment StoiSet received a ball in 
his thigh; they were then obliged to retire, and lost 
some pieces of cannon. M. Stofflet, though severe- 
ly wounded, continued to command, and, owing to 
Slim, the retreat was made in tolerable good order. 
The republican troops, and the levees en masses in- 
creased every day, but they only skirmished with 
our advanced guards ; their strongest armies were 
at Nantes, Angers, Saumur, and Poitiers. 

M. de Lescure left the camp of St. 8auveur with 
3000 men, on the 19th of September, to oppose the 



183 

Blues who were assembling at Thouars. The na- 
tional guards, and the levees en masse, formed 
there a camp of more than 20,000 men. Our troops 
at first were eminently successful^ and the defeat 
would have been complete, had not a reinforcement 
from d'Airvault obliged M. de Lescure in his turn 
to retire, but the retreat was made in good order. 
The gendarmes wished to disturb it, but M. de 
Lescure and his officers waited for them with such 
firmness and resolution, that they did not dare to 
advance. The wounded were then carried away 
without interruption ; M. de Lescure assisting in 
carrying the litters, which he often did, as well as 
the other officers. This attack of Thouars was ex- 
tremely useful, for it discouraged the swarm of le- 
vees en masse, which filled that army ; they dis- 
banded, and never afterwards appeared. 

It was after this battle, that the republicans 
found among the dead the body of a woman, about 
whom there was a great deal said in the newspa- 
pers. Some said it was me ; others, that it was 
Jeanne de Lescure, sister to the chief of the bri- 
gands, fwlio never had one. J It was also suppos- 
ed that she had passed among the Vendeena for an 
inspired maid, like Joan of Arc. This last con- 
jecture was equally false. The generals had not 
only strictly prohibited any women from following 
the array, but declared that any one found there 
should be ignominiously banished ; and during 
the short periods in which the troops were assem 
bled, even female sutlers were not allowed to at- 
tend. Some time before the engagement at Thon 



18J^ 

ars, a soldier accosted me at Boulaj'^e, saying, he, 
had a secret to couMe to ine. It was a woman, 
who was desirous of changing her woollen vest for" 
one of the coarse cottons which was given to the 
poorest of the soldiersj and^ fearing to be discover- 
ed, had applied to me, bat intreated me not to in- 
form M. de Lescure. She said her name was 
Jeanne Robin, and that she was from Courlay. 
The vicar of that parish, to whom I wrote, answer- 
ed, that she was a very good girl, but that he had 
been unable to dissuade her from being a soldier;, 
and that she had taken the sacrament immediately 
before leaving home. 

The evening before the battle, she sought for M. 
de Lescure, and addressing him, said, " General, I 
am a woman ! Madame de Lescure knows it, and 
also that my character is good. To-morrow there 
is to be a battle, let me but have a pair of shoes ; I 
am sure I shall fight so, that you will not send me 
away." She indeed fought under the eye of M. 
de Lescure, and called to him, " General, You 
must not pass me, I shall always be nearer the 
Blues than you." She was wounded in the hand, 
but this only animated her the more, and shewing 
it to him, said, " This is nothing." Rushing fu- 
riously into the thickest part of the engagement, 
she perished. 

There were in other divisions a few women, who 
fought also disguised as men. I saw two sisters, 
fourteen and fifteen years old, who were very cou- 
rageous. In the army of M. de Bonchamp, a 
young woman became a dragoon to avenge the 



185 

death of her father; and performed prodigies of va- 
lour during the whole war, under the name of 
L'Angcvin. She is the only one of these heroines 
now alive. 

I one day saw a young woman, tall and beauti- 
ful;, with pistols and a sabre hung at her girdle, 
come to Chollet, accompanied by two other women, 
armed with pikes. She brought a spy to my fa- 
ther, who interrogated her. She told him she was 
from the parish of Tout -le -Monde, and that the wo- 
men kept guard there when the men were absent in 
the army. But I do not believe there were in all 
ten women bearing arms, disguised as men ; but it 
was apparently to authorise in some degree their 
massacres of women, that the Blues spake so much 
of those that fought. It is true, that, after their 
defeats, those who fled were sometimes seized and 
knocked in tlie head by the women and children of 
the villages, which was a shocking reprisal ; but 
the burnings and massacres had given the people a 
deep feeling of revenge. 

It has been also falsely asserted, that the priests 
fought; but they came to the field of battle only to 
confess the dying, which they did in the hottest fire, 
and it was true their bodies were occasionally found. 
They at times carried pistols for their personal de- 
fence, but none of them ever thought of any other 
duty, except exhorting and rallying the soldiers, or 
inspiring them with courage and resignation under 
their sutFerings. Had the peasants seen them de- 
part from tlieir holy character, they would have 
lost all veneration for them. So decided was the 

A a 



186 

general opinion in this respect, that M. du Soulier, 
who had long fought in the Vendeen army, having 
been discovered to be a priest, (sous-diacre), was 
sent to prison. The priests have also been re- 
proaclied with having excited the Vendeens to 
cruelty. Nothing could be more false ; for, on the 
Contrary, I could produce many traits of courage- 
ops humanity, highly honourable to them. Num- 
bers owed their lives to their intercessions with 
furious soldiers bent on slaughter. The priests 
who were the most active in exciting the peasants 
to fight courageously, were often also the most zeal- 
O.US in preventing their shedding the blood of the 
vanquished. M. Doussis, curate of St. Marie-de- 
Hhe, a most ardent follower of the army, prevent- 
ed the massacre of a great number of prisoners by 
his feeling and eloquent expostulations. Some 
years afterwards, being brought before a republi- 
can tribunal, this action saved him. 

M. de Supiaud, a venerable missionary of St. 
Esprit, placed himself on another occasion before 
the door of the prison of St. Laurence, declaring 
they should trample over his body before they 
reached the prisoners within. The stories circulat- 
ed respecting the sanguinary fanaticism of the Ytn- 
deen priests, are the calumnies of party spirit and 
irreligion. There were some children in the army, 
and a little boy of seven years old has been known 
to stand the fire undauntedly. 

The numerous army commanded by General 
Santerre, which came from Saumur, and had re- 
pulsed Stofiiet before Doue, arrived at Coron. The 



187 

principal generals of the grand array were absent, 
defending other points, and MM. de Bonchamp, de 
Laiocliejaqiielein, and Stofflet, being wounded, 
there was a want of officers as well as soldiers to 
stop his march. On the 14th of September, MM. 
de Talmont and de Perault, with a slender force, 
very imprudently attacked him. M. de Sepeaux 
and some young officers having defied each other 
who should approach nearest to the Blues, advan- 
ced too far, and were obliged to return at full gal- 
lop. This incident alarmed the peasants, and the 
attack failed, but without any inaterial loss. Fortu- 
nately, M. de Piron succeeded in assembling troops 
on the side of Chollet, and M. de Larochejaque- 
lein, who was confined at St. Aubin with his 
wound, employed himself with M. Jagault, in col- 
lecting peasants from the surrounding parishes, and 
sent them to M. de Piron under the command of 
M. de Laugreniere ; he was nearly the only distin- 
guished officer remaining in that district, all the 
others being with the generals near Mortagne, 
M'here the danger was most urgent. 

M. de Piron opposed Santerre at the head of 
10,000 or 1^,000 men ; the Blues marched from 
Coron upon Vezins, and their army, 40,000 strong, 
the most part from levees en masse, occupied a line 
of four leagues along the great road. M. de Piron, 
observing the error of this disposition^ attacked 
with vigour the centre of the republicans, and, af- 
ter an hour and a half's fighting, succeeded in cut- 
ting their line, and throwing them into disorder. 
Their artillei'y filing off at that moment, through a 



i8S 

long anil narrow street of Coron, M. de Piron in- 
stantly secured it, by placing troops at each end of 
the village, and the route became complete. The 
eiaeniy were followed for four miles, and lost eigh- 
teen cannon, and their wagons. This victory did 
infinite honour to M. de Piron, who shewed great 
ability and resolution, in a situation where he had 
no assistance to expect. The soldiers shouted dur- 
ing the battle, " Vive Piroa ! Vive Piron !"* 

He sent, immediately after, a part of his infantry 
and all his cavalry, to the Chevalier Duhoux, whoj 
with MM. Cadi and Dessorinieres, were endea- 
vouring to defend themselves against the republi- 
can army, which had come by Angers and the 
bridges of Ce. A General Dehoux, uncle of the 
chevalier, commanded it. The Vendeens, encou- 
raged by the success of M. de Piron, and the reiH- 
forcements he had sent, resumed the offensive, and 
repulsed with spirit the vanguard of the republi- 
cans, which fell back behind the river Lugon, by 
tlie bridge of Barre. 

This bridge was strongly defended by artillery^ 
which stopped the Vendeens. A quarter of a mile 
farther, another bridge had been broken down. 

A column of peasants, without officers, flew of 
themselves to this point. Jean Bernier, a young 
miller, of the parish of St. Lambert, darting from 
the ranks, threw himself into the stream, and swam 
across. Others followed, — they repaired the bridge, 
and the column passed over. Berniers^ seizing a 

* Piron for ever- 



189 

standard, called out, ^^ Follow me, friends." They 
soon overtook the rear of the republican army^ 
cooped up in a dedle. Surprised at this unexpect- 
ed attack, and finding our troops had succeeded in 
passing the bridge of Barre, the Blues took tu 
flight, abandoning all their artillery, and were pur- 
stied as far as the bridges of Ce. The republicans 
reproached their general Duhoux with having se- 
cret correspondence with bis nephew, who com- 
manded the Vendeens ; but there was no founda- 
tion for this. The Chevalier Duhoux, a young man 
of twenty, very brave, but very thoughtless, was 
not of a character to employ such means ; and 
treachery was without example in our civil war. 

Thus all the attacks made from Thouars, Sau- 
mur, and Angers, were repulsed, and the levies en 
masse on these three sides were dispersed; but 
meanwhile the whole Basse Vendee was overrun. 
Unfortunately M. de Charrette had not been able 
to stop the progress of the former garrison of May- 
ence, now sent against us from Nantes. The 
coalesced powers, neglecting even to stipulate in 
the capitulations, that the garrisons should not fight 
against us, was a cruel circumstance for the Ven- 
deens, and evinced but too well that they did not 
serve the same cause. 

The Mayen^ais, to the amount of fourteen thou- 
sand men, with the troops General Beysser had 
at Nantes, and a division from Sables, attacked at 
once by three different routes tha insurgents of Bas- 
Poitou. 



190 

The s^all corps of Jolly, Savin, Coetus, and 
Chouppes, were obliged to fall back on Lege, 
where M. de Cbarrette was. The whole popula- 
tion, old men, women, and ctiildren, followed the 
soldiers, to avoid the general massacre. The crowd 
©f cattle, carriages, &c. encumbered and retarded 
the retreat ; the disorder was extreme, and terror 
increased at every step. M. de Charrette abandon- 
ed Lege to retire to Montaigu, and was there at- 
tacked and defeated. He then took refuge at Clis- 
son, but could not hold out ; and lastly, retired to 
Tiffauges, after having lost the whole territory in 
which he had hitherto carried on the war. He sent 
for assistance from the grand army ; the fate of La 
Vendee hung upon that moment. 

A few days before the battle of Torfou, a depu- 
tation from the army of Mayence, composed of one 
officer and two subalterns, came to Boulaye, dis- 
guised as peasants. They offered to join the roy- 
alists, but demanded the high pay of thirty sols 
a-day for each soldier, besides a very large sum 
for the officers, amounting from one to two millions. 
The Vendeen chiefs had no currency, but promised 
largely for the future. This did not satisfy the 
Mayengais, who appeared determined to conftlude 
nothing without the effective. This was little re- 
gretted, for what confidence could be placed in men 
who were thus for sale ! A larger sum would have 
led them to betray the Vendeens in their turn. The 
particulars they gave respecting the strength of their 
array, and of its position, of which they boasted 



191 

much, were highly instrumental to the success at 
the battle of Torfou. 

The army and all the generals, except M. de 
Larochejaquelein, whose wound still confined him, 
assembled at Chollet. The enormities committed 
by the Blues had excited universal horror and in- 
dignation, and all the chiefs were resolved to die 
or conquer in the approaching battle. They decid- 
ed that no prisoners should be spared, the Mayen- 
^ais being considered as having violated a capitu- 
lation in which La Vendee was to be considered as 
a, party, being allies of the foreign powers, and 
troops of the King of France. The cry of " Ren- 
dez-vous, grace," (surrender, you shall have your 
life), was therefore forbidden. Before their depar- 
ture, the curate of St. Laud celebrated mass at 
midnight, and delivered an impressive sermon. He 
then solemnly blessed a white standard which I 
had embroidered for the army of M. de Lescure. 

The united armies amounted to about forty thou- 
sand men. On the 19th of September, the very 
day on which the Chevalier Duhoux gained the 
victory at Beaulieu, they marched against the ene- 
my. The Mayencais had removed from Clisson 
to Torfou, They at first occupied the village of 
Boussay, driving from it a small number of Ven- 
deens, who made no resistance, and then advanced 
on Torfou, placing two battalions in front of the 
village. At the first fire the Vendeens took to flight, 
particularly the soldiers of M. de Charrette, who 
had been discouraged by their reverses. On this, 
M. de Lescure, dismounting from his horse, with 



19S 

some of his officers, called out, <* Are there four 
hundred men brave enough to die with me ?" The 
people of the parish of Eehaubroignes, who had 
that day seventeen hundred men under arras, an- 
swered loudly, " Yesj Marquis, we will follow 
wherever you lead." These brave peasants, and 
those of the neighbouring parishes, were the best 
soldiers in his army ; they bore the name of grena- 
diers of La Vendee, and were commanded by Bou- 
rasseau, one of their own comrades. At the head of 
three thousand men M. de Lescure succeeded iu 
maintaining the battle for two hours. This part of 
the country, the most unequal and woody of the 
Bocage, did not allow the Mayen^ais to observe 
how weak a force was opposed to them, before M. 
de Bonch amp's division arrived, and M. de Char- 
rette and the other chiefs had succeeded in rallying 
those who had fled iu the first onset. They then 
spread themselves around the left of the republi- 
cans, whilst the hedges andinequality of the ground, 
concealing their motions, prevented the enemy 
knowing on what point to defend themselves. At 
last a heavy fire on their rear, near which the artil- 
lery was placed, made them fear its loss ; and the 
movement they made to defend it threw them sud- 
denly into disorder. Their columns became entan- 
gled in deep and intricate roads, exposed to the de-. 
sultory fire of the Vendeens. They could not even 
save their cannon, and the soldiers who defended 
them were killed. Greneral Kleber, who command- 
ed the Mayengais, preserving his coolness and 
judgment, prevented a complete route, and re-esta- 



1&3 

blished some degree of order in his army. The 
courage of their officers, and steadiness of their 
soldiers, would scarcely have saved them, had not 
Kleber, after a retreat of about a league, perceiv- 
ing the disorder of his troops, and pressed by the 
Vendeens, placed two pieces of cannon on the 
bridge of Boussay, and said to a lieutenant-colonel, 
*^ You and your battalion must die here !" — ^* Yes, 
General !'' replied this brave man, and he perished 
on the spot. This allowed Kleber time to rally the 
Mayengais, so as to stop the career of the Vendeens, 
who proceeded no farther. 

The next day MM. de Charrette and de Leseure 
attacked General Beysser at Montaigu, to prevent 
his junction with the Mayencais. Although taken 
by surprise, he at first made some resistance. The 
troops of M. de Charrette behaved ill again ; but 
he rallied them with such spirit that they came back 
to the charge. Tiie soldiers of the grand array did 
not give way for an instant, and never had shewn 
themselves braver or more ardent than on this day. 
They had acquired confidence in themselves, and 
the officers experience. General Beysser was com- 
pletely beaten. His troops were not equal to the 
Mayencais ; they lost their cannon and equipage, 
and he was himself severely wounded. The panic 
of the republicans was such, that they could not be 
rallied nearer than Nantes. 

It was agreed, that the next day the whole army 
should attack the Mayencais in their retreat. They 
had formed considerable magazines of provisions 
at Clisson; where their wounded were placed, and 

Bb 



19i 

to which they also wished to remove their booty. 
Their march being encumbered by a convoy of 
about ISOO carriages, would have rendered an at- 
tack easy, which was to have taken place on the, 
right by MM. d'Elbee and de Bonchamp, and on 
the left by MM. de Charrette and de Lescure. But, 
after the taking of Montaigu, M. de Charrette 
thought it would be better to march immediately 
towards St. Fulgent, and engage the division of 
Sables coming by that road. It had committed 
liorrible ravages in the country, and the inhabitants 
bad earnestly entreated to be delivered from them. 
He gained over M. de Lescure to his opinion, and 
they both thought that the attack upon the right 
would be sufficient to disperse the Mayengais con- 
voy. They, therefore, sent an officer to M. de Bon- 
champ, to inform him that they had resolved to 
march towards St. Fulgent; but this messenger did 
not arrive in time, and this accident had fatal con- 
sequences. 

The victory was complete at St. Fulgent : the 
army of Charrette shewed, at first, some hesita- 
tion ; soon overcome by the firmness of the gene- 
ral and officers, the Blues were quickly put to flight, 
and closely pursued by the cavalry. Avril, a pea- 
vsant of high fame in onr army, had his arm broken. 
One of the Swiss, named Rynchs, drew a flageo- 
let from his pocket, and began to play, in derision, 
the air Cd ira. While chai'ging the enemy, a ball 
carried off the head of his horse, but Rynchs getting 
up again, continued to play. M. de Lescure, le 
Chevalier de Beauvolliers, and the young de Mon- 



195 

dyoii, Tiad been so eager in the pursuit, that they 
found themselves at six in the evening perfectly 
alone. Four republicans, concealed behind a hedge, 
fired at them. M. de Lescure, believing that it 
was his own soldiers, advanced to them, saying^ 
*^ Do not fire, we are your generals.'' They fired 
again close to them. Happily their guns were only 
loaded with small shot. M. de Lescure's clothes 
were pierced in very manj^ places, and the Cheva- 
lier Mondyon was severely wounded in the hand ; 
the artillery and baggage remained in the possession, 
of the Vendeens. This division of Sables continu- 
ed their flight to Chantonnay. 

Meanwhile MM. d'Albe, de Bonchamp, de 
Talmont, &c. supported by the divisions of MM. 
de Lyrot and of Isigny, attacked the convoy of 
Clisson. If all the army had been united, and 
the expectation of the attack upon the left had not 
been disappointed, it is probable that the formida- 
ble Mayeneais would have experienced a total de- 
struction ; but our success was very incomplete. 
M. de Bonchamp renewed the attack three times 
with heroic courage, but was repulsed; and though 
his loss was not great, and he took 100 wagons, 
the expedition failed ; and it cannot be denied 
that, if successful, the consequences would have 
been very important. M. de Bonchamp felt se- 
verely his not having been supported ; the cir- 
cumstance began to sow a little dissension among 
the different chiefs of the Vendeen armies, and the 
peasants of Anjou preserved a bitter recollection 
of it. Six armies, which, almost at tlie same mO' 



196 

ment, assailed the Vendeens, were by a great and 
general effort repulsed. Unfortunately, the most 
formidable of these armies had suffered the least. 
Some days of repose became necessary, before un- 
dertaking any thing new. MM. d'Elbee and de 
Bonchamp remained near Tiffauges, to watch the 
Mayencais ; MM. de Talraont and de Btofflet oc- 
cupied Anjou : M. de Charrette was at Herbiers ; 
M. de la Vilie de Bangle at Poussauges, to check 
the troops of Chataigneraie ; and M. de Lescure 
returned to Chatillon, for the safety of that district. 
General Westermann arrived from Niort, and the 
republican division of Lu§on occupied Chanton- 
nay. 

The soldiers returned in triumph to their homes, 
after so many victories ; the Te Deum was sung 
in all the parishes. I assisted at that of Chatillon, 
where the Chevalier de had it celebrat- 
ed with extraordinary pomp. He was a great ge- 
neral for processions, assuming, on such occasions, 
a gravity and devotion which charmed the pea- 
sants, who, besides, loved him extremely, from the 
care he took of the wounded. He came at the 
head of the inhabitants, with the Bishop of Agra, 
the generals, and the superior council, while M. 
de Lescure, whose courage had been so conspicu- 
ous in the last battle, and whom the whole country 
hailed as its deliverer, concealed behind a pillar 
of the church, and avoiding observation, returned 
thanks to Grod upon his knees. 

In the evening, while I was walking, I heard 
the cry of " To arms ! the prisoners have revolt- 



i97 

ed." There were 1800 of them in an abbey, and 
not well secured. Two loaded cannon were be- 
fore the gate, but not properly attended. Fearing 
they might surprise the staff-officers, who were 
near, I ran there, in time. Snatching up their 
swords, they flew to the prison ; but it was a false 
alarm, and such were frequently given. Some- 
times there were many more prisoners than sol- 
diers in the town, and there had been a revolt, in 
which they were obliged to fire upon the mutineers. 

Another time two prisoners, after requesting to 
serve in the army and take the oath to the King, 
were detected endeavouring to open the doors of 
the prison, and sliot in const quence. Hearing of 
the massacre of our prisoners by the Blues, it had 
been more than once considered whether we should 
not retaliate, but this cruel proposal was always 
repelled with horror. At first the republicans had 
spared a part of their prisoners, and only detained 
them. The most distinguished were indeed exe- 
cuted, but there had not been yet a general pro- 
scription, as at this period. 

Two days after the separation of the armies, 
M. de Charrette sent an officer from Herbiers to 
Chatillon to claim his share of seven thousand 
francs in assignats, which had been taken at St. 
Fulgent. This demand could admit of no difficul- 
ty. M. de Lescure had agreed with M. de Char- 
rette, before parting, that they should make another 
attack in concert after a little repose. The grand 
army had saved him, and it was just that he should 
now assist them. Chantonnay and Chataigneraie 



198 

were occupied by the enemy. This last post, in 
particular, being far advanced in the Bocage, gave 
great uneasiness, and M. de Lescure was anxii us 
that their efforts should be directed upon that point. 
One of the MM. de la Roberie, who had come in 
the name of M. de Charrette, said, from him, that 
he thought they ought first to attack Chantonnay. M. 
de Lescure and his officers wrote to M. de Char- 
rette, that they considered it as a duty to submit to 
his opinion, and, however inclined to give the pre- 
ference to the attack of Chataigueraie, they confid- 
ed entirely in his talents and experience, and said 
they would be the next day at Herbiers with their 
army. I saw the letter. It was signed by MM. 
de Lescure, de Beauvolliers, de Desessarts, and dc 
Bauge, the only chiefs who were at Chatillon. The 
next day we were surprised to learn that M. de 
Charrette had left Herbiers, and gone to Mortagne^ 
where he demandt^d a share of booty taken at St. 
Fulgent. My father was not there, being near 
Tiffauges with MM. de Bonchamp and d'Elbee. 
M. de Charrette, therefore, only found M. de Ma- 
rigny, who, having already distributed to the sol- 
diers the shoes, vests, kc. M. de Charrette could 
not have his share of them, but which, at any rate, 
would have been small, as the booty of this kind 
was not very valuable. M. de Charrette shewed 
himself very much dissatisfied, and Fefired sudden- 
ly, and without acquainting any body witli his in- 
tentions, into his former position in Lege, when he 
ought to have considered that his own fate depend- 
ed upon that of our army. 



199 

This retreat changed all the plans, as no chief 
had now sufficient force to act on the offensive. M. 
de Lescure appeared before Chataigneraie without 
attacking it, limiting himself to some skirmishes to 
confine the enemy; but, learning that General Wes- 
termann was marching upon Chatillon, he returned 
to the position of St. Sauveur. This did not pre- 
vent the Blues occupying Bressuire ; they did not 
advance beyond it, but once or twice there were 
some slight rencounters. M. de Lescure made a 
night attack on Bressuire, which, though not at- 
tended with marked success, checked the republi- 
cans. 

I was at this period in great afiliction. My mo- 
ther was ill of a malignant fever, and, whilst I at- 
tended her at Boulaye, I learned that M. de Les- 
cure was at Chatillon. He sent a letter to my fa, 
tlier, who was at Mortagne ; the messenger having 
orders to follow him wherever he might be, my 
fears were excited to such a degree, as to induce 
me to open the letter, in wliich M. de Lescure ask- 
ed for reinforcements and ammunition, and said he 
expected to be attacked by Westermann. I re- 
sealed the despatches, forwarded the courier, and 
then instantly set out to see M. de Lescure, and 
tell him all my alarms. I returned the same night 
to my mother, and he to St. Sauveur. 



5300 



CHAPTER XIII. 



Battle of Moulin aux Chevres. — Recapture of 
Chdtillon, — Battles of La Tremblaye and Choi- 
let, 



The republican armies pressed every day 
more and more upon the insurgents^ and advanced 
farther into the Bocage ; the divisions of Chanton- 
nay, Chataigneraie and Bressuire, made a junction, 
occupied Cerizais, burning the castle of Puyguyon 
near them, which belonged to M. de Leseure, 
Chatillon and Boulaye no longer aflPording safety^ 
my mother, with swelled legs, and scarcely reco- 
vered, was put on horseback, where she had not 
been for twenty years ; and we set out for Chollet 
with my aunt the abbess, and my little daughter, 
whom we had been obliged to wean at nine months 
old, sorrow and anxiety having dried up the nurse's 
milk. We began this journey on a stormy nighty 
in the rain. 

My fatlier was at Chollet, employed in collecting 
troops to send to the points menaced by the enemy. 
They were the most necessary where M. de Les- 
eure was placed. MM. d'Elbee and de Bonchamp 
were still at Clisson, in front of the the Mayencais, 
who had not yet resumed the offensive. M. de 
^escure fell back from St. Sauveur to Chatillon. 



201 

He had only three or four thousand men, while the 
Blues had more than twenty thousand at Bressuire, 
and it was evident they would soon attack. M. de 
Larochejaquelein, wounded as he was, joined M. 
de Lescure ; they sent repeatedly to my father for 
assistance ; the peasants around Chataigneraie^ Ce- 
rizaisj and Bressuire, could not at that moment be 
reckoned upon, being occupied in saving their fami- 
lies, their cattle, and effects, from the burnings and 
general destruction, by carrying them farther into 
the country. M. de Talmont, coniiued at Chollet 
by the gout, believed, as some others did, that M. 
d'Elbee stood more in want of assistance than M. 
de Lescure. The discussion of this question, which 
my father could only terminate by exercising his 
authority, delayed the march of the troops to Bres- 
suire so long that several officers, and among others 
M. des Sorinieres, who brought a fine corps of two 
thousand men, did not arrive till the end of the 
battle. 

The republicans attacked M. de Lescure at the 
Moulin aux Chevres. They had such superiority 
of numbers, that they seized that position, and put 
the Vendeeus to flight ; who would have suffered 
much, had not MM. de Lescure and de Laroche- 
jaquelein, by naming themselves, attracted the at- 
tention of the enemy's hussars, who, by pursuing 
them for two hours, gave time to the soldiers to 
escape by different roads. M. de Stofflet, who had 
come from Aujou, as well as the Chevalier de 
Beauvolliers, were very nearly taken in a hollow 
way, but escaped by standing on their saddles, and 

C c 



202 

leaping over a hedge. Some soldiers pursued them, 
but M. de Beauvolliers, killing two with his pis- 
tols;, and then drawing his sabre, the rest fled. 

M. Durivault was severely wounded by a ball, 
which grazed his breast, and M. de Lescure had 

Ms thumb hurt. A M. de , Chevalier de 

St. Louis, who proposed plans, talked of forming 
a corps of Marechausee, and who in every thing af- 
fected the man of importance, had till this time al- 
ways found means to escape fighting. He had come 
to pass the summer at the waters of Johannet, 
which his physicians liad prescribed, he said, for 
one and twenty years. M. des Sorinieres had, I 
know not how, succeeded in bringing him that day 
to the army, but when he saV our people take 
flight, he ran away shamefully himself, calling out, 
" Courage, my friends ! — turn and rally, — but let 
ixiQ pass you !" 

Chatillon was taken the same day ; and the brave 
villages of Aubiers, St. Aubin, Nueil, Rorthais, 
&c. &c. were sacked and burnt. 

The generals returned to us at Chollet; and the 
peasant who had carried my standard, came and 
showed me its pole, all jagged with sabre cuts. He 
had fought singly with a Blue, and defended him- 
self with the lance of the standard. 

MM, de Bonchamp and d'Elbee had not quitted 
their position, and sent many earnest entreaties to 
M. de Charrette, that he would attack the rear of 
the Mayengais, but he did not answer their letters. 
Perhaps he did not receive them all. Of what- 
ever importance, however, their position might be, 
it was still more urgent to unite all the forces, and 



203 

recapture Chatillon. The wounded, the prisoners, 
and the ammunitionj were removed from Mortagne 
to Beanpreau. 1 went there also with my mother, 
my aunt, my child, and M. Durivault, whom M. 
de Lescure had desired me to take as much care of 
as I would of his brother. We found on our arri- 
val, Madame d'Elbee, whose brother M. Duhoux 
d'Hantrive, commanded the town. 

The army was (jnickly assembled, and marched 
upon Chatillon, two days after the battle of Mou- 
lin aux Chevres. The ardour of the soldiers was 
extreme; and all the officers Avhose wounds would 
allow them to mount on horseback, joined the 
troops, as did also MxM. Bonchamp, de Laroche- 
jaquelein, and Duchaffault, with their arms in 
slings. The town was soon carried, and the repub- 
licans entirely routed. They lost all their cannon 
and baggage, and were pursued with fury. Never 
was there a more murderous engagement for our 
enemies. M. Duchatfault distinguished himself 
much in this battle. He belonged to the army of 
Cliarrette, but had come voluntarily, just before the 
engagement. He was wounded, and remained with 
us, as also his younger brother, a boy of fifteen, 
full of ardour. Their father had emigrated with 
two elder sons. 

This victory was complete, and the enemy was 
pursued in all directions. M. de Lescure and the 
greatest part of the chiefs followed them by the 
road of St. Aubin ; M. Girard de Beaurepaire, 
the brave Lejeay, a peasant from the parish of 
Chanzo, captain of cavalry, and some others, pro^ 



20ii 

ceeiled by the road of Bressuire. General Wester- 
niann had fled ; but seeing himself pursued by so 
small a detachment, he stopped, repulsed vigo- 
rously our dragoons, and conceived the bold pro- 
ject of returning to Chatillon. He ordered a hun- 
dred hussars to take each of them a grenadier be- 
hind and follow him, reaching thus in the night 
the gates of the town^ where there were neither 
guards nor sentinels. The peasants, having found 
brandy, were for the most part drunk. The dra- 
goons who had at first pursued Westermann en- 
deavoured to stop him, and fought courageously, 
M. Girard de Beaurepaire fell, after receiving 
twelve sabre wounds. Lejeay lost his horse. He 
then ran to the hospital, where his wounded bro- 
ther lay, and taking him in his arms he placed him 
behind a dragoon who was flying from the town ; 
returned to the engagement, killed a hussar^^ mount- 
ed his horse, and continued to fight. But West^ 
ermann had already entered the town, and was 
fighting in the streets^ where a horrible slaughter 
began. Tlie hussars were almost as drunk as our 
people, and the darkness of the night added to the 
horror and confusion. The Blues massacred wo- 
men and children in the houses, and set fire to 
every thing. The Veudeen officers despatched 
numbers of them, who were themselves so intent 
on killing, as not to think of their own defence. 
The brave Loizeau received many sabre wounds^, 
but he killed three republicans. The Prince of 
Talmont, coming out of a house, was thrown down 
by some hussars, who did him no other injury, but 



205 

went iu and massacred his landlady and her daugh- 
ter, who were in reality democrats. Many other 
women, wives of the republican soldiers, were in- 
volved in the promiscuous slaughter. In four or 
five hours Westermann withdrew, but darkness 
prevented his being pursued ; the Vendeens durst 
not hazard any movement. The chiefs who were 
without the town waited for day to re-enter it; and 
it was then the horrors of the night were displayed. 
Houses on fire ; streets strewn with dead bodies, 
wounded men, women, and children, with wrecks 
of every species. " 

The victorious Vendeens left this miserable 
town. They had to meet more formidable foes in 
another quarter. 

The Mayencais, after their junction with all the 
divisions of the west, had occupied Mortague, the 
14th of October, the troops of M. de Roy rand re- 
treating before them. They then marched upou 
Chollet. M. de Lescure had desired us to remove 
from Beaupreau to Vizins, but M. Durivault was 
too ill to accompany us ; we were bewildered in 
the cross roads, but arrived at Trementine on the 
evening of the 15tli. That day the Vendeens were 
to have attacked the republicans at Chollet, where 
they expected them to be by that time. 

On the day preceding, M. de Bonchamp by the 
road of TiflTauges, and M. de Lescure by that of 
Mortagne, were to take a position in the rear of 
the army ; but it marched slower than they expect- 
ed, and M. de Lescure met it in the avenues of 
the Chateau de la Tremblaye, half way between 



Mortagae and ChoUet. M. de Boachamp, find- 
ing nobody at ChoUet, could not join the oibj^v di- 
visions in time. 

M. de Leseure, with the young BeauvoUiers, 
was some way before the troops, when, reaching 
the top of a rising ground, he discovered, at twen- 
ty paces from him. a republican post. " Forward !" 
he called out to the troops ; but at that moment a 
ball struck him above the left eye, and came out 
behind his ear; — he fell lifeless. The peasants 
having rushed forward, passed over (he body of 
their general without seeing him, and speedily re- 
pulsed the republicans. Young BeauvoUiers, how> 
ever, throwing away his sword, called out weep- 
ing, '*' He is dead, he is dead !" This alarm dif- 
fusing itself among the Yendeens, and occasioning 
some confusion, a reserve of Mayen§ais returned 
upon them and put them to flight. Meantime a 
servant of M. de Leseure had found his master 
bathed in blood, but still breathing. He placed 
him on a horse, supported by two soldiers, and in 
this manner they miraculously accomplished the 
conveying him to Beaupreau among the routed 
troops. The Vendeens retired to ChoUet, and as 
they did not see M. de Leseure again^ they be> 
lieved him dead. 

We had slept at Trementine, and on the morn- 
ing of the l6th I went to church, where I found a 
number of women kneeling in prayer, having heard 
tiie sound of cannon from ChoUet. Some of the fu- 
gitive troops arrived. I saw M. de Perault, who 
aj)proached, took me by the hand, and wept ; but 



207 

perceiving by my counteuauce that I Icncw nothing, 
said it was for the loss of the battle. I askeil 
where M, de Lescure was, and he replied, at Beaii- 
preau. He did not know that he was alive, but had 
not courage to tell me of his death. He advised me 
to return to Beaupreau, as the hussars might every 
instant be expected at Trementine. No oxen could 
be found for the carriage, to convey my poor old 
aunt ; but, terrified to deatli, I could not wait. 
Taking my daughter in my arms, I set out on 
horseback, accompanied by my mother. We stop- 
ped at Chemille, where my aunt overtook us ; but 
scarcely was she arrived, when we were obliged 
to proceed, and we resumed our journey, having 
£rst placed my daughter in the carriage. 

A moment after, we heard the cry of " The 
Blues are coming ! — fly !" Terror seized me, and 
I galloped off; but the road being crowded with 
carriages, I got upon a side-path, about two feet 
above the road. Finding it rose higher and higher, 
I made my horse le*ap down among the carts, and 
I clambered over the other side of the road into a 
field, that I might reacb the head of the column. A 
moment after, I regained my presence of mind, and 
rejoined my family. There had not been in fact 
any danger ; but some Vendeen artillerymen had, 
in order to clear the road for their pieces, sounded 
this alarm. We continued our journey by cross 
roads, and, instead of arriving at Beaupreau, we 
found ourselves by night at the village of Boze, a 
league and a half from the Loire, and in front of 
Mont-Jean. We tl^•er^v ourselves on a bed, in a 



208 

room full of soldiers, who were oir their way io join 
the army of M. de Bonchamp. At three in the 
morning of the 17th of October, we were awakened 
by the noise of cannon. It was heard at once from 
tlie quarter of St. Florent, and from Mont-Jean, 
along the Loire. Every one rose to attend the high 
mass, which was to be celebrated by the curate du- 
ring the night, that the peasants might proceed early 
in the morning for the army. We accompanied 
them, and found the church full. The curate, who 
was a good old man, of venerable appearance, ex- 
horted tlie soldiers in the most affecting manner. 
He conjured them to defend their Grod, their King, 
their wives, and their children ! The roar of can- 
non was heard at intervals during this discourse 4 
the scene around, and the uncertainty in which we 
were as to the fate of the army, or of those most 
dear to us, heightened by the obscurity of night, 
made a profound and awful impression ! The cu- 
rate finished, by giving absolution to those poor 
people who were going to battle. 

After mass I wished to confess. They had told 
the curate, that M. de Lescure was dead, and, not 
knowing how to communicate this dreadful misfor- 
tune, entreated him to prepare me for it. This old 
man spoke to me with extreme kindness, carefully 
avoiding to overwhelm me by a sudden blow. He 
praised the virtues and piety of M. de Lescure, 
and said I should feel deep gratitude to God for 
having betowed upon me such a husband ; but that 
higher duties were imposed upon me in conse- 
quence ; that M. de Lescure might be called to his 



209 

God ; aud that if Providence, ia its infiuite wisdom, 
should try me with severe afflictions, I ought to he 
resigned to heaven, aud think only of the recom- 
pense which there awaited me. 

His tone and voice rising by degrees, seemed 
prophetic ! Frozen with terror, I looked at him, 
without knowing what to think. During this 
time, the noise of cannon redoubled, and the peals 
seeming to approach nearer and nearer, obliged us 
to leave the church ; and while I was almost 
senseless, they put me on horseback, and we fled, 
but without knowing wliere to find shelter. 

At a league from Boze, M. Jagault met some 
people, who told him M. de Lescure was at Chau- 
dron, and was wounded. I then learned what they 
had believed, and concealed from me. We were 
not far from Chaudron, and I flew there, wliere I 
found M. de Lescure in a dreadful state. His head 
was all shattered, and his face so terribly swelled, 
that he could hardly speak. My arrival relieved 
him from the most terrible apprehensions, for he 
had sent three diiferent messengers, who neither 
met, nor could gain any intelligence of me, and he 
imagined I had fallen into the hands of the repub- 
licans. Chaudron was fall of the fugitives and the 
wounded. I again met here M. Hurivault. 

The Vendeens, after the defeat of Tremblaye, 
returned to ChoUet, from whence they marched 
during the night to Beaupreau, for the purpose of 
rallying there, ^me chiefs, among others M. de 
Larochejaqnelein, wished them to remain, and de- 

Dd 



2W 

feud Chollet, which was a good position ; but tlie 
soldiers were so unwilling, that only some cavalry 
and horse-artillery were left, with which they were 
enabled, on the morning of the 16th, to make some 
shew of defence, in order to allow the army time 
to rally at Beauprean; this was the cannon we 
heard at Trementine ; and when 1 saw M. de Pe- 
rault he was on his way from Chollet to join the 
army. The republicans entered Chollet with ex- 
treme precaution, and advanced no farther that 
day. 

1'he generals assembled at Beaupreau, resolved 
to make a last effort to expel the republicans. Thi^y 
migSit still hope for success, as their army was nu- 
merous, and the soldiers animated by the desire of 
vengeance, and the necessity of conquering. M. 
de Eonchamp, however, foreseeing the possibility 
of failure, proposed sending a detachment to take 
Varades, situated on the right bank of the Loire, 
that the array might have a place of retreat in case 
of defeat. He had always thought there would 
have been great advantages in carrying on the war 
upon the right bank of the Loire. He was acquaint- 
ed with Brittany, and was convinced the people 
would join the Vendeens ; this plan, therefore, did 
not appear so difficult to him as to the other chiefs 
of the country. 

Had he lived, and had he taken the command of 
the army, the insurgents might perhaps have reap- 
ed great, ad vantage from an event that proved their 
ruin. He died without any one knowing his 
schemes, his correspondents, or the measures he 



211 

relied on for success ; and this enterprise of Va- 
rades became evidently injurious. It removed from 
the army officers who would have been useful in 
deciding the day ; gave the soldiers an idea the bat- 
tle might be lost, and shewed them a means of re- 
treat. Many chiefs thought that, even after the de- 
featj they ought not to have quitted the left bank^ 
as they might again have been able to collect a 
large army, particularly of the Poitevins, who were 
dispersed behind the republicans; and that they 
might have also succeeded in prevailing on M. de 
Charrette to make a diversion in their favour. 

MM. de Talmont, d'Autichamp, and Duhoux, 
were then sent at the head of four thousand Bretons 
or Angevins, the whole of these almost from the 
right bank, to pass the Loire at St. Florent, and 
occupy Varades. The cannon we heard at J3oze, 
proceeded from this attack, and those we heard on 
the side of Mont-Jean, were from an attempt the 
Blues had made there, but they re-embarked on 
perceiving our attack of Varades. 

On the 17th, in the morning, MM. d'Elbee, de 
Bouchamp, de Larochejaquelein, <le Royrand, my 
father, and all the other chiefs, marched upon Cliol- 
let, at the head of forty thousand men. The repub- 
licans had made their junction with the divisions of 
Bressuire, and were forty-five thousand strong. It 
was upon the ground, before Chollet;, on the side of 
Beaupreau, that the armies met. MM. de Laro- 
chejaquelein and Stofflct led on a furious attack. 
For the first time the Vendeens marched in close 
columns, like troops of t!ie line. They broke in 



2i2 

upon the centre of the enemy, and penetrated as iai* 
as the faubourgs of Chollet. General Beaupuy, 
who commanded the republicansj wa^s twice thrown 
from his horse in endeavouriog to rally his soldiers, 
and was nearly taken. Bisorder was spreading 
among the Blues, when a reserve of Mayencais 
arrived. The Vendeens supported the first shock, 
and repulsed them, but by repeated attacks they 
were at last thrown into disorder. All our chiefs 
performed prodigies of valour to recover the day, 
and succeeded in rallying some soldiers, who fought 
with such fury, as made the victory be very dearly 
purchased. MM. d'Jilbee and Bonciiamp were 
mortally wounded ; the rout became general, al- 
though protected in their flight by the arrival of M. 
de Piron, with a great part of M. de Lyrot^s divi- 
sion, which allowed them to carry off their wound- 
ed. The republicans had also suffered too much 
to think of pursuing. They returned to Chollet, 
set fire to the town, and abandoned themselves dur- 
ing the night to all their accustomed atrocities. 

MM. cFElbee and Bonchamp were transported 
at first to Beaupreau, and M. d'Elbee remained 
there ; M. de Bonchamp was carried afterwards to 
St. Florent, where the wrecks of the Vendeen 
army assembled. A rear-guard was left at Beau- 
preau, which made some defence, but Westerraann 
carried it on the 18th, burnt the town, and all the 
neighbouring villages, but did not advance far- 
ther. 



S13 



CHAPTER XIV. 



Passage of the Loire. — March hy Ingrande.- 
Cande, Chateau- Gontier, and Laval. 



I WAS at this dreadful period too much over- 
come by grief and apprehension, for the passing 
events to leave any distinct impression on my me- 
mory. Many of the details have been related to 
me since. 

MM. de Talmont and d'Autichamp had suc- 
geeded in their attack upon Varades ; they had 
driven away the Blues, and the passage of the 
Loire was secured. From the 17th, a crowd of 
soldiers had fled, without stoppings as far as St. 
Florent. During the whole night the Vendeens 
marched upon this point. 

Our Breton soldiers*, and the people of the 
right bank, had brought some boats ; they called 
to the fugitives, " Come friends, come to our coun- 
try, you shall want for nothing ; we will help you; 
we are all aristocrats. '^ The Vendeens precipi- 
tated themselves in crowds in the boats. 

Thns when, on the morning of the 18th, the of- 
ficers arrived, the passage was begun. We had 
left Chaudron during the night. M. de Lescure 

* The soldiers of Brittanv. 



214 

was carried on a bed, which they had covered as 
well as they possibly could ; he suffered dread- 
fully. I travelled by his side. I was three months 
gone with child ; my situation was shocking. We 
arrived early at St. Florent^ and then 1 saw the 
greatest and the saddest sight which can be ima- 
gined ; a sight which never can be effaced from 
the momery of the wretched Vendeens. 

The heights of St. Florent form a kind of semi- 
circular boundary to a vast level strand reaching 
to the Loire, which is very wide at this place. 
Eighty thousand people were crowed together in 
this valley; soldiers, women^ children, the aged^ 
and the wounded, flying from immediate destruc- 
tion. Behind them, they perceived the smoke 
rising from the villages the republicans were burn- 
ing. Nothing was heard but loud sobs, groans, 
and cries. In this confused crowd, every one 
sought his relations, his friends, and his protectors. 
They knew not what fate they should meet on 
the other shore, yet hastened to it^ as if beyond 
the stream they were to find an end to all their 
misfortunes. Twenty bad boats carried succes- 
sively the fugitives, who crowded in them ; others 
tried to cross on horses ; all spread out their arms 
towards the other side, supplicating to be taken 
there. At a distance on the opposite shore, an- 
other multitude was seen antl heard fainter. In 
the middle was a small island covered with people. 
Many of us compared this disorder, this despair, 
this terrible uncertainty of the future, this immense 
spectacle, this bewildered crowd, this valley, this 



2i5 

iiiream which must be crossed, to the ideas of the 
last judgment. 

When the officers saw this eagerness to quit the 
left bank, and that passing the Loire was become 
necessary by tliis disorderly movement of the whole 
army, they gave themselves up to despair. M. de 
Larochejaquelein was like a madman ; he would 
remain on the shore, and let himself be killed by 
the Blues. It was in vain represented to him that 
he must yield to the torrent; that it was impossi- 
ble to reanimate the courage of the soldiers, and 
lead them to battle ; that this was the only method 
of saving all these people ; — he listened to nothing. 
He went with a great number of officers to M. de 
Lescure, who had been taken to a honse at St. Flo- 
rent, and related to him with tears of anger what 
had passed. M. de Lescure was again reanimated, 
and declared that he too would die in La Vendee. 
But they represented to him his situation : he could 
not stand. They described to him the situation of 
the army, of which a part was already over, and 
which certainly could not be persuaded to return ; 
spoke of the crowd of wounded, of women, chil- 
dren, and old people ; of the republican army, 
which was advancing every moment, and of the 
flames, \vhich drew nearer and nearer. They ob- 
served to him that there was no aramunitioa left, 
nor any means of defence. At last he yielded, find- 
ing it impossible to resist, and consented to be car- 
ried over to the other side. 

A few officers who had, or who thought they 
had, uifluence on the right bank, were the only ones 



^16 

who saw without grief this passage of the Loire ^ 
M. de Bonchamp^ who had advised and prepared 
it, was insensible, — he was dying. 

Tliey had brought to St. Florent five thousand 
republican prisoners. M. Cesbrons d'Argognes, 
an old Chevalier de St. Louis, and commandant of 
Chollet, had conducted them. He was a severe 
man, and had nine of them shot on the road for 
trying to escape. However, they could not be drag- 
ged farther, nor taken across the river. The offi- 
cers deliberated on the fate of these prisoners. I 
was present ; M. de Lescure was lying on a mat- 
tress,' and I was attending him. At first they were 
all for shooting them immediately. M. de Lescure 
said to me with a weak voice, and whic^ was 
scarce heard. How barbarous ! But when the order 
was to be given to execute tiiese poor wretches, no- 
body would do it. One said this horrid butchery 
was too much for him ; another that he would not 
be an executioner ; some added, that it would be 
atrocious to retaliate on poor people, who, hav- 
ing been prisoners for four months, had nothing to 
do with the crimes of the republicans. It was said 
that it would be authorising the massacres of the 
Blues ; that it would redouble their cruelty ; and 
that they would not leave a single living creature 
on the left bank. At last it was decided to give 
them their liberty. Some of them have since shewa 
their gratitude, by saving Madame de Bonchamp 
at Nantes. They signed a certificate, which attest- 
ed that M. de Bonchamp, in compliance with the 
entreaties of his wife, had obtained their lives from 



sir 

the Vendeen array. The fact was, Madame de 
Bonchamp had not seen her husband since. It 
was true, however, that the prisoners owed her par- 
ticular gratitude. She had met in the square M. 
d'Argognes, who was inciting the soldiers to mas- 
sacre the prisoners, and by her reproaches she had 
forced him to desist. 

We were preparing to cross over. M. de Les- 
cure was wrapped up in his bed-clothes, and he 
was put on an arm chair covered with a kind of 
mattress. We descended from St. Florent to the 
shore in the middle of the crowd. Many officers 
accompanied us. They drew their sabres, made a 
circle around us, and we arrived at the edge of the 
water. We found the old Madame de Meynard, 
who had broken her leg in coming to St. Florent; 
her daughter was by her side, and begged me to 
receive them in our boat. M. de Leseure was put 
in. M. Durivault, my little girl, my father, our 
servants, and I, got into the boat. It could not hold 
Madame de Meynard's litter, and her daughter 
would not leave her ; they both remained. We 
did not find my mother ; she was on horseback, 
and had forded the river to a little island, which 
was not far from the left bank. She ran very great 
risks, and caused us dreadful uneasiness for a long 
time ; for we did not see her again till we reached 
Varades. 

When we were embarked, my father told the 
boatman who conducted us to pass the little island, 
and go to Varades at once without stopping, to save 
M. de Lescurc the pain of being landed and put 

Ee 



gl8 

in the boat as;ain. The man refused absolutely ; 
iieitlv/r entreaties nor threats could induce him. 
My father was angry, and drew his sabre. "Alas! 
Sir," said the boatman to him, " I am a poor 
priest; out of charity I came to ferry the Ven- 
deens over. I have now been working eight hours 
in this boat ; I am overpowered with fatigue, aud 
I am not skilful in this business : I should run a 
risk of drowning you if I crossed the great arm of 
the river." We were then obliged to land on the 
island, in the middle of the confusion. We found 
a boat there which took us to the other side, where 
there were a number of Vendeeus seated on the 
grass all waiting for their friends. My father went 
in search of my mother. I sent to a half burnt ham- 
let on the edge of the Loire for some milk for my 
child. 

Varades is a quarter of a league distant, on the 
side of a hill. M. de Lescure was impatient, to 
arrive there. The weather was clear, but the wind 
was cold. They placed two pikes under the arm 
chair, and the soldiers carried ic. My fern me- de- 
chambre and myself supported his feet, wrapped 
tip in napkins. M. Durivauit followed us with 
difficulty. 

We were thus advancing, when a young man 
on horseback passed near us, and stopped a mo- 
ment. It was M. d'Autichamp. I had not seen 
him since he left Paris. He told us he was going 
to assemble three thousand men to attack Ancenis^ 
and secure a ford for our artillery. He tried to 
calm a little the despair in which he saw me. 



319 

An instant after, I heard in Varades the cry of 
To arms ! and soon after the noise of drams and 
musketry began. I had never found myself so 
near a battle, and what a moment to be attacked ! 
I stopped quite terrified. The firing reanimated 
M. de Lescure, who was almost insensible. He 
asked what it was. I entreated him to let himself 
be carried to a neighbouring wood. He answered, 
that the Blues would do him a service, by des- 
patching him, and that the balls would hurt him 
less than the cold and wind. I did not listen to 
him ; he was carried into the wood ; my child was. 
brought after me, and many other people took re- 
fuge in it. 

At the end of an hour, we heard all was quiet. 
A detachment of hussars had appeared before Va- 
rades, wtthnut knowing it was occupied, and had 
retired as quickly as possible. We continued our 
route, and we arrived in the town. As I entered 
it, a peasant, whom I did not know, came to me, 
and pressing my hand, said, '^ We have left our 
country, we are now all brothers and sisters ; we 
must not separate. I will defend you till death, 
and we will perish together.^' They gave me a 
little room for M. de Lescure; my father, my mo- 
ther, and my aunt, joined us. The house, like all 
those of Varades, was filled with fugitives, who 
knew not what was to become of them. Many 
suffered from hunger; but the greatest part of these 
worthy people were so little inclined to plunder, 
that there were some in our house who would not 
take potatoes out of the garden, as 1 advised them 



%20 

to do, till the master of the house had permitted 
them M. d'Autichamp found the Vendeens mas- 
ters of Ancenis. The army of M. de Lyrot, af- 
ter having forded the river before the town, had 
courageously attacked and carried it. It was tliere 
that the cannon and caissons were passed, and also 
the cattle. 

They had all passed over during the night ; 
some slept on mattresses, some on straw ; but the 
greatest number bivouacked. M. de Bonchamp 
was dead when he was taken out of the boat, and 
was buried the next day. Some days after, the 
republicans took his body up, to cut off the head 
and send it to the convention. Nobody knew what 
was become of M. d'Elbee ; the array was with- 
out a commander-in-chief. M. de Lescure sent for* 
the principal officers of the different divisions, and 
told them they must elect one. They answered, 
that it was evidently he who was general, and that 
he must command when he recovered. " Gentle- 
men," said he, <^^ I am mortally wounded ; but 
even if I could live, which I do not believe possi- 
ble, I should be long unable to command. It is 
necessary that the army should have immediately 
an active chief, loved by every body, known by 
the peasants, and having the confidence of all 5 it 
is the only means of saving us. M. de Laroche- 
jaquelein is the only one who has made himself 
known to the soldiers of all the divisions. M. de 
Donnissan, my father-in-law, is not of this coun- 
try ; they would not follow him so willingly, and 
he himself would not wish it. The choice that I 



22i 

propose will reanimate the courage of the Ven- 
deens ; I advise you, and I beg you to name M. 
de Larochejaquelein. As to me, if I live, you 
know I shall not quarrel with Henri, I shall be 
his aide-de-camp.'' 

These gentleman retired, and formed a council 
of war, in which M. de Larochejaquelein was 
elected. They wanted to name a second in com 
mand : M. de Larochejaquelein answered, that he 
was that second, as he should follow the advice of 
M. Donuissan, and look upon him as his superior 
officer. 

M. de Larochejaquelein, far from desiring this 
honour, feared it very much, and was sincerely sor- 
ry for it. He had represented, that at one-and- 
twenty he had neither age nor experience enough 
to give him influence ; his youth was in reality his 
only fault. In battle, his valour animated and sub- 
jugated the whole army, and they obeyed him 
blindly ; but he neglected the council, and did not 
attach importance to his own opinion ; he told it, 
without supporting it, and, from too much modes- 
ty, let the army be governed by others. When he 
did not agree with them, he said to the officers who 
were his friends, "^'Tbis is all nonsense; when in 
the battle, it will be our turn to lead, and theirs to 
follow.'' Notwithstanding all this, he was the 
best general they coukl choose. The peasants fol- 
lowed him with alacrity, from the natural ascen- 
dancy of his character ; his courage and activity 
were truly inspiring, and he had tlie art of com- 
manding. My father did not desire to have the 



222 

difficult employment of conducting a crowd of pea- 
sants who did not know liim, and who, besides, 
preferred heing led on by young men, 

M. de Larochejaqnel 'in was then proclaimed 
general, with tke acclamations of all the Vendeens, 
As soon as M. de Lescure knew they had follow- 
ed his advice, he told me to call Henri. He had 
liidden himself in a corner, and was crying bitter- 
ly. I brought him: he threw his arms round AT. 
de Lescare's neck, repeated that he was not worthy 
to be general; that he only knew how to fight; 
that he was much too young, and that he should 
never know how to silence those who opposed him. 
He begged M. tie Lescure to take the command 
again, as soon as he should be recovered. ^* I never 
expect it/' he answered ; ^'^ but if it does happen, 1 
will be your aide-de-camp, and help you to con- 
quer that flifUdence, which prevents your acting up 
to the force of your own character^ and defeating 
the intrigues of the ambitious." 

They assembled then a council, to deliberate on 
the course t!ie army should take. M. de Lescure 
was for marching on Nantes. He thought that a 
sudden attack on that city, whose garrison had en- 
tered La Vendee, might succeed. Besides the im- 
portance of the position, it was a means of re-enter- 
ing our country, and of concerting operations with 
M. de Charrette's army. There were no news of 
him; but it appeared probable that our loss might 
have saved him, by drawing the enemy on us. 
They talked also of marching upon Rrnnes. It 
was certain that Brittany was ready to rise, and 



223 

there were fewer obstacles to stop us on that road. 
The peasants remeoibered their defeat under the 
walls of Nantes, which might discourage them. It 
was decided that they should go to Reiines. The 
Chevalier de Beauvolliers was sent immediately, 
with a small advanced guard, to occupy Ingrande. 
After the council, M. de Lescure, who had been 
stimulated by the importance of the l)usiness, re- 
lapsed, into a state of greater weakness when it was 
over, and became almost insensible. Towards 
evening, the prisoners, whom we had left at liberty 
at St. Florent, picked up some cannon, and tired, 
on Varades. It was returned ; but there was no 
barm dune on either side. 

The army was to go the next day to Ingrande. 
It was decided that M. de Lescure was to set out 
in the evening. A young man in the neighbourhood, 
offered to conceal him, as well as my mother, my 
aunt, and me ; — he answered for the safety of the 
asylum that he proposed. M. de Lescure would not 
hear of quitting the army. 1 was tempted to lake 
advantage of this offer for my child; but tlie fear 
that it would be carried to the foundling-hospital, 
or that they would not take care enoughiof it, and. 
the hope that she would continue in good hcallh, 
determined me to keep her. 1 rould not resolve to 
part with so dear a thiug ; and at that time every 
one experienced the wish of running coiumon dan- 
g< rs, and of having a common fate. 

We set out in the evening. They could not find 
a carriage forM. de Lescure, and placed him in a 
cart, but the violent jolting made him suffer so hor- 



libly, that he cried out from pain. When he arrived 
at Ingrande, he was almost insensible. We stopped 
in the first house ; they gave a bad bed to M. de 
Lescure ; I lay down on some hay ; and we had 
scare any thing to eat. There was such a confu- 
sion, that they were obliged to beat the drum to pro- 
cure a surgeon to dress ray husband's wounds. The 
Chevalier de Beauvolliers came to see us. He had 
learned, by the letters he had taken at the post-of- 
fice, that Niorraoutiers had just been surprised by 
M. de Charrette. The next morning, the main 
l}ody of the army arrived, and continued its march 
on Cande and Segre. We did not know how to 
convey M. de Lescure ; he could not bear the mo- 
tion of the cart. The caleche in which my aunt 
travelled was too small. I went into the town with 
MM. de Bauge and de Mondyon. We had a kind 
of litter, made with an old arm-chair ; we put hoops 
over it, and hung sheets, to keep the air from the 
poor sufferer. I determined to walk near the litter 
with my maid Agatha, and some of my people. Mj 
mother, my aunt, and my child, were gone before. 
Families and friends walked together, and tried to 
keep united. Each had protectors among the offi- 
cers and soldiers. The latter, aftei having done 
their duty, thought of preparing lodgings and food 
for the women, the children, the aged, the priests, 
and the wounded, who had attached themselves to 
them. 

We set out. M. de Lescure uttered such cries, 
as harrowed my very soul. I was overcome with 
fatigue and distress. My boots wounded my feet. 



223 

In half an hour, I begged Forfet to give me his 
horse. He had the charge of commanding the 
escort which guarded M. de Lescure. We travelled 
between two files of cavalry, and a tolerable large 
body of infantry were behind us. 

A moment after, M. de Beauvolliers came vvith 
a berlin he had found. They had dismounted and 
destroyed a camion to have horses ; and laying mat- 
tresses in the berlin, Ave placed M. de Lescure in 
this kind of bed. M. Durivault went in the car- 
riage also. Agatha placed herself nearM. de Les- 
cure, to support his head. TJie least jolt drew 
groans from him. He felt from time to time the 
most acute pains ; — cold added much to his suffer- 
ings. Sometimes the discharge from his wound was 
very great, then he found some relief, and tliey 
took advantage of these moments to go on ; when 
the paias began again, they stopped. The rear- 
guard came up to us, and waited for the carriage. 
M. de Lescure, though almost dying, was fully 
alive to pain. His temper was changed; instead 
of his unalterable calmness, and angelic sweetness, 
lie had become impatient, and often passionate. 
Agatha, skilful and patient, could be oF more use 
than myself, distressed as I was, and short- sight ■« 
ed, and it was for me another source of grief. 

We were advancing towards Cande. About a 
league from the town, a noise we heard made us 
think there was fighting there. We were almost 
alone on the road ; I was on horseback. AVe had 
gone before the van^guard ; an instant after, I heard 
the cry, Here are the hussars ! Reason failed me ; 

Ff 



SS6 

Biy first idea was to fly. At the same inomenl I 
recollected I was with M. de Lescure. Doubting 
niy own courage, and fearing that the approach of 
the hussars would strike me with an involuntary 
and invincible terror, I entered quickly into the 
carriage without telling the reason, to make it im- 
possible for me not to perish with my husband. The 
cries and tumult had recalled his senses ; lie had 
started up, called the horsemen, asked for a mus- 
ket. He wanted to be let out and supported ; he 
would not listen to my representations, and was 
only hindered by his weakness from getting out of 
the carriage. Several horsemen arrived galloping. 
He called to them by their names, excited them to 
fight; but there was not a single officer; they had 
all gone on before. At last he perceived Foret : 
" You are here," said he ; " now I am easier, there 
is somebody to command." And in reality he grew 
calmer, and began to praise the bravery of Foret, 
and to abuse the cowardice of M. de *** whom 
he had seen hide himself behind the carriage. 

This alarm was unfounded; the hussars who, 
had been perceived wei'e only three, and were fly- 
ing from Cande. We arrived towards evening in 
this little town ; it had been taken after a slight 
skirmish, in which M. Hespres de la Chataigne- 
raie had been dangerously wounded. We were 
well off tliere, and found provisions. The peasants 
came again to beg me to ask permission of the mas- 
ter of the house to take potatoes out of the garden. 
They were less scrupulous as to the heaps of apples 
for cyder, which iii autumn are placed before the 



S37 

dooi's of almost all the houses in Brittany* Hunger 
made them throw themselves eagerly on this food 
which they found before them. This caused much 
illness, and a dysentery which ravaged the array. 

Early the next day we set out for Segre and 
Chateau- Gontliier. A lady of Cande proposed to 
hide M. de Lescure and his family j we had refused 
this oifer as well as at Varades. 

This march of the Yendeen army presented a 
singular spectacle. There was a numerous ad- 
vanced guard, with some cannon ; the crowd came 
afterwards without any order, and filled up the 
road — artillery, baggage, women carrying tiieir 
children, old men supported hy their sons, the 
wounded who could scarce drag themselves along, 
and soldiers all in confusion. The commanding- 
officers in vain struggled against it. Sometimes, 
crossing this crowd at night on horseback, I have 
been obliged to make myself a passage between 
the bayonets, by putting them aside with each 
hand, not being heard when begging them to 
make way for me. Tiie rear-guard then came ; 
it was specially charged with guarding M. de 
Lescure. 

Tliis sad procession occupied almost always four 
leagues in length. It was giving a great hold to 
tlie enemy, if they had taken advantage of such a 
faulty arrangement. The hussars might ejisily have 
charged us, and massacred the centre of the co- 
lumn ; there was no protection for the flanks of the 
Vendeen army ; we had not twelve hundred ca- 
valry. There were no other sharpshooters than 



22S 

the poor people who straggled to right and left in 
the villages for bread. What preserved our army 
a great while from destruction, was the fault the 
republicans always committed, of attacking the van 
or the rear of the column. 

It is nine leagues from Cande to Chateau-Gon- 
thier. We went through Segre? where the pea- 
sants, according to their invariable custom, burnt 
the papers of the administration, and the tree of 
liberty. After a long day's journey, in which the 
rain had incommoded us very much, we arrived 
late at Chateau-Gonthier, which the republicans 
had in vain tried for a moment to defend. 

I was overpowered with fatigue and hanger; I 
had set out without breakfast. On the road 1 had 
given my bread to some wounded people, and had 
only eaten two apples the whole day till mid- 
night. I often suffered from hunger during this 
journey. Physical evils were constantly added to 
those of the mind. 

We heard at Chateau-Gonthier, that the Blues, 
on returning to Cande, had massacred some poor 
wounded wretches, whom we had been forced to 
abandon, not being able to carry them on. From 
that time, they constantly committed the same cruel 
act whenever they found our wounded. This ter- 
rible manner of making war excited revenge. M. 
de Marigny had a justice of the peace of Chateau- 
Gonthier seized in a cellar where he was conceal- 
ed, and who had been denounced as a ferocious 
republican. He put him to death with his own 
hand in the public square, and some others in the 



22d 

sapic manner. Afterwards, in this journey, M. de 
Marigny sometimes shewed himself cruel ; no offi- 
cer imitated him, but they no longer opposed him. 
rt is thus that civil war perverts the character. M. 
de Marigny, one of the best and mildest men I 
have known, was become sanguinary. 

They gave also at Chateau-Gonthier^ the first 
example of discipline. A German soldier wanted 
to take the money of a woman, and gave her a 
stroke with his sabre ; he was shot. The Germans 
gave themselves up to a great deal of disorder in 
this expedition ; but they were always severely 
punished as soon as their crimes were known. Pil- 
lage never Avas permitted. However, it may be 
easily supposed that the conduct of such an army 
could not be very strict, and rested more on its 
morality than on its discipline. We had no maga- 
zines, no convoys, no provisions. There were no 
preparations any where to receive us. Seeing us 
pass without stopping, the inhabitants, even those 
the most disposed in our favour, dared not employ 
themselves for us, for fear of being the next day 
exposed to the revenge of the republicans. We 
were then under the necessity of exacting provi- 
sions ; we never raised a general contributioo,. 
never authorised pillage, but we were obliged lo 
ullow the soldiers to take clean linen and clothes 
in exchange for those they wore. I was obliged 
sometimes to do the same thing, and to beg of the 
people some coarse but clean clothes. 

We passed twelve hours at Chatcau-Gonthier; 
then we set out for Laval. The Ciievalier Duhoux 



330 

was charged with the command of the rear-guardj 
and came to take the orders of M. de Lescure, for 
the time of departure. 

Fifteen thousand national guards had assembled 
for the defence of Laval ; but they made a poor re- 
resistance, and fled. We lost in this battle two of- 
ficers, much regretted, M. de la Gueriviere and the 
game-keeper of M. de Bonchamp. M. de Laroche- 
jaquelain ran a very great danger. Since the bat- 
tle of Martigne, in which he had been wounded, 
he always kept his riglit arm in a sling. It, how- 
ever, did not make him less active, nor less bold. 
In pursuing the Blues before Laval, he was attack 
ed alone in a hollow road by afoot soldier; he seiz- 
ed him by the collar with his left hand, and mana- 
ged his horse so well with his legs that the man 
could not do him any harm. Our people arrived, 
and wanted to kill the soldier. Henri forbid them : 
" Return to the republicans," said he to him ; 
*'^ tell them you were alone with the chief of the 
brigands, who has only one hand and no arms, and 
that you could not kill him.'' 

The Vendeens were very well received at La- 
val ; the inhabitants were favourably disposed. 
The town is large, and furnished more resources 
than former places had done. Many of the Breton 
peasants came and joined us. I saw a troop of 
them arrive, crying " Vive le Roi !'' and carrying 
a white handkerchief at the end of a stick. la a 
little while there were more than six thousand of 
them. They gave the name of Petite Vendee to 
this assemblage. All these Breton insurgents were 



231 

to be known by their long hair, and by their clothes ; 
the chief part were of goat skins, with the hair on. 
They fought very well ; but the country did not 
rise entirely. This division was formed of young 
men only, and from a great number of parishes. 



S3S 



CHx\PTER XV. 



jBattles between Laval and Chateau- Gonthier.'^ 
Moute by Mayenne, Ernee, and Fougeres.-— 
Death of M. de Lescure. 



It was determined that the army should pass 
some days at Laval to rest it, establish some order, 
and give the whole country time and means to rise 
and join the Vendeens. 

This repose was of great use to M. de Lescure. 
He visibly regained strength, and the second day 
he was much better. In the evening several officers 
were with me, when all at once there was a report 
that the Mayencais were coming to attack us. At 
first they told us there was nothing in it ; however, 
I soon heard preparations for battle. The soldiers 
were assembled and encouraged. It was not with- 
out fear that we saw ourselves assailed at night in 
aflat country by these formidable Mayen§ais, who 
had driven us from our homes. We were lodged 
at the entrance of the town, towards Chateau-Gon- 
thier. I had M. de Lescure transported to a house 
in the opposite suburb. 

M. Forestier went immediately with some offi- 
cers to ascertain the march of the enemy. He 



333 

found they were really advancing on Laval, and 
returned to inform the generals. M. de Laroche- 
jaquelein sent M. Martin of the array of Bon- 
champ, at the head of some horse, to reconnoitre a 
second time. He acquitted himself with prompti- 
tude and precision. They marched then to meet 
the republicans, whom they found between Laval 
and Antrames. They supported an instant the 
shock of our army, whose numbers and movements 
were hidden by night, but were soon turned ; and 
the disorder became such, that our people took 
cartridges from their caissons, and they from ours: 
This confusion was favourable to the Vendeens, 
who lost few men, and killed a great many of the 
enemy. The darkness was so great, that M. Kel- 
ler gave his hand to a republican to help him out 
of a ditch, thinking him one of ours. The flashes 
of the cannon shewed him all at once the uniform, 
and he killed him. 

The next day passed very quietly. M. de Les- 
cure was so well, that he returned on horseback to 
his first lodging. The day after that, it was known 
from the morning, that all the republican army was 
coming to attack Laval. The defeat of the divi- 
sion which had been engaged, had shewed them 
that the Vendeens were still numerous and formi- 
dable. They had now reunited all their forces, 
which amounted to full thirty tJiousand good troops. 

We felt the im[)ortance of the approaching bat- 
tle. Every measure was carefully taken, and it 
was resolved to redouble our efforts and couraare. 
J\L de Lescure wanted to take advantage of the 



^34 

little amendment of his health, to mount on horse- 
back and go with the army. We had great diflB- 
culty in dissuading him. Seeing we were all op- 
posed to this mad project, he set himself at the 
wdndovv, and, by his gestures and his voice, he en. 
couraged the soldiers who were going to battle. 
The fatigue and emotion of this fatal morning, de- 
stroyed the fruits of three days repose and care ; 
and, from that moment, his situation grew worse 
and worse. 

The battle began at eleven o'clock in the morn- 
ing. The Vendeens attacked briskly. The re- 
publicans had two pieces of cannon on a rising 
ground in the front. M. Stofflet, who was by the 
side of an emigrant, said to him, ^* You shall see 
how we take cannon." At the same time he or- 
dered M. Martin, surgeon, to charge on the pieces 
with a dozen horsemen. M. Martin set off on a 
gallop. The cannoniers w^ere killed, and the two 
pieces carried away. They turned them imme- 
diately against the republicans, added to them 
some of ours, and M. de la Marsonniere was 
charged to point them. A spent ball struck him so 
violently, as to bury his shirt in his flesh. He 
wanted to continue, but the pain became too great, 
and lie was obliged to retire. M. de Bauge 
supplied his place. This battery was import- 
ant ; it was exposed to the hottest fire of the ene- 
my. ]\;M. de Larochejaquelein, de Soyrand, 
and d'Autichamp, were almost continually with M. 
de Bauge, making, their pieces always advance in 
fr(mt of the republicans, who were retreating. The 
drivers were so frightened, that they w^ere obliged 



335 

to wliip them on. For a moment cartouches were 
wanting; M. de Royrand galloped off for some. 
Coming back, a ball struck him on the head ; he 
died of this wound some time after. The courage 
and the perseverance of this attack, decided the 
success of the battle : it became complete, when M. 
Dehargues, at the head of a column, had turned 
the enemy, and attacked him in the rear. The 
Blues gave way, and fled in disorder to Chateau- 
Gonthier. They wanted to form again in the town, 
and placed two cannon on the bridge, to defend it. 
M. de Larochejaquelein, who had pursued them 
briskly, said to his soldiers, ^^ What, my friends, 
shall the conquerors sleep out of doors, and the 
conquered in the town ?" The Vendeens had never 
had so much ardour and courage ; they rushed on 
the bridge ; the cannon were taken. The Mayen- 
cais tried a moment to resist; they were overthrown, 
and our people entered Chateau-Gonthier. M. de 
Larochejaquelein continued the pursuit. He saw 
that the Blues still endeavoured to form in front; 
he sent instantly to Chateau-Gonthier for the artil- 
lery. Several horsemen were perceived returning 
at full speed ; they carried the order. Our people 
imagined that the enemy had regained the advan- 
tage. A panic spread among them ; they precipi- 
tated themselves in crowds in the, streets, in such 
disorder, that there were twenty people killed ; 
Stofflet's horse was squeezed to dt-ath between his 
legs. But all was soon cleared up ; the republi- 
cans were finally routed, and pursued some way. 

M. de Larochejaquelein displayed in this battle 
such talents and coolness, as gained the officers' 



236 

admiration. He had always been till then rash and 
impetuous, precipitating himself on the enemy, 
without troubling himself who followed him : this 
day he remained constantly at the head of the co- 
lumns, kept them together, prevented the bravest 
from going forward alone, and by that means occa- 
sioning a confusion often fatal to us. He took care 
to oppose masses to the republicans, and they could 
never regain the advantage, as sometimes happen- 
ed, by facing about in their retreat, and repulsing 
their scattered pursuers. It was evident what im- 
portance Henri attached, to render the victory as 
complete as possible. 

Here we ought to have stopped, and* returned io 
triumph to our own country, after having taken 
ample revenge on those Mayencais who had driven 
lis from it. There would have been no difficulty in 
retaking Angers, and repassing the Loire. It was 
the opinion of M. de Larochejaquelein ; but most 
of the officers were at Laval. He was at Chateau- 
fxonthier, with the advanced guard and. the young 
officers, and dared not take such an important reso- 
lution without the advice of the elder ones. He 
determined to return to Laval, where they expect- 
ed, however, an order from him to march to Cha- 
teau-Gonthier. A body of republicans had assem- 
bled at Craon : he took that road, and gained again 
a complete advantage. 

It was after this return, and during the councils 
which were held to deliberate as to what was best 
to be done, that cabals, jealousies, and seciefc ma- 
noeuvres, began among the chiefs and the army. 



337 

The opportunity of repassing the Loire was 
over; time had been allowed the republicans to pre- 
vent it ; the Vendeens regretted it bitterly. M. de 
Talmont, who thought himself sure of all Brittany, 
wanted to march on Paris. Many other chiefs were 
for going to Rennes, which was well disposed for 
us. From thence they might have taken measures 
to raise the country. 

During the battle, they had brought a letter to 
the generals of the royalist army. M. de Lescure 
was the only chief who was then at Laval. They 
gave him the letter. 1 opened it, and read it to 
him ; it was short. After great compliments on the 
success and the bravery of the royal army, it an- 
nounced that an army of fifty thousand insurgents 
were ready to rise near Rennes, and that their 
chiefs desired a passport to come from the place 
where they were concealed, to confer with our gene- 
rals. This letter came, I think, from M. de Puy- 
saye ; it was thought a very strange one. I do not 
remember the subscribers, but after each name there 
was their rank ; such a one general, such a one ma- 
jor-general, &c. We were much amused with 
these generals, who commanded fifty thousand in- 
visible men, and who asked for a passport. The 
man was sent for who brought the letter ; he would 
neither give details nor explanations, and refused 
to say from whom he received it. It was then sup- 
posed he might be a spy, and that his letter was a 
false one. It was answered verbally, that since 
we were only twelve leagues from Rennes, the fif- 
ty thousand men might begin to move, and that we 



^3S 

were ready to second them; and as to tlie passport^ 
It was not necessary to have one to speak to the 
generals. This information could not inspire con- 
fidence enough to determine the going to Rennes. 
But as some fermentation and beginning of revolt 
certainly existed, we ought undoubtedly to have 
taken that direction. 

They talked also of attacking a sea-port. An 
officer of the artillery, named M. d'O — , who had 
engaged in the revolt of General Wimpfen, and of 
the Girondins, and who had just joined UvS, spoke 
of Granville, of which he knew the weak side, 
and offered to direct the attack. M. de Talmont 
still persisted in an expedition to Paris ; he said if 
we could not enter, it would be always easy to join 
the Austrians in Flanders. Henri opposed this 
sciiemc. He represent^ul how impossible such a 
march was for an army dragging after it women, 
children, and wounded. The time of year was 
also a great objection, without saying any thing of 
the military obstacles the enemy would certainly 
oppose. He added, the Yendeen peasants would 
never undertake such a journey; and it was at last 
nearly resolved that they should march to Foil- 
geres ; from thence they might equally go to Rennes 
or towards the coast. 

Towards the latter part of our stay at Laval, I 
saw that M. de Lescure suffered more and more. 
He had been relieved by the quiet of the fii-st few 
days. Many splinters had been taken out of his 
wound ; it had been more regularly dressed, but 
he was not tractable in doing what was ordere^l. 



S39 

He would not take any medicine, and lived only 
on rice, milk, and grapes. The bone of bis fore- 
head was injured further than had been perceived 
at first. His hair was glued together liy blood, 
and by the matter from the wound, and hurt him 
much, and he would have it removed. Agatha, 
wh<» was very skilful in dressing his wound, and 
supplied very well the surgeon's place, who was 
absent that day, undertook to cut it off. I wanted 
to have only a little part of it taken away ; he in- 
sisted upon having it all cut, assuring us it would 
relieve him ; nothing could dissuade him from it. 
I have always thought that it was this operation, 
and the fatigue he underwent the day of the second 
battle, that were fatal to him, and which destroyed 
the hopes we had at first conceived. Whatever 
he occupied himself with, took entire possession of 
his mind, and gave him such an extreme agitation, 
as bordered on delirium, and inspired me with 
terror. All the day- he talked of war, of what 
had passed, and what might happfn. One morn- 
ing the brave Bourasseau came to see him, and 
(old bim, that before the passage of the Loire, his 
parish had already lost five hundred men, killed or 
wounded. M. dt» Lescure talked to us all day of 
the courage of those people, exalting incessantly 
their heroic devotion. I tried in vain to calm 
him ; at night he ha<l a fever, and he visibly grew 
worse. I sent for M. Besormeanx, a very good 
surgeon, who never left inc. I could not look at 
the dreadful misfortune which threatened me. 



210 

We stayed nine days at Laval. The day before 
our departure, I was in the morning lying upon a 
mattress near M. de Les cure's bed. I thought 
him dozing. Every body had left the room j even 
M. Durivault : he called me, and said with his 
usual gentleness, which he then regained, and 
which never forsook him afterwards : ^^ my dear 
friend, open the curtains." I rose and opened 
them. ^' Is it a fine day?'' continued he. — <^Yes," 
I answered. " I have then something like a veil 
before my eyes; I do not see distinctly. I always 
thought ray wound was mortal ; I no longer doubt 
it. Dear friend, I am going to quit you ; it is my 
only regret, except that of not having been able to 
replace my King on the throne. I leave you in 
the midst of a civil war, pregnant, and with a 
child ; this is what afflicts me : try to save yourself 
in disguise, and go to England." I was choked 
with tears. ^^ Your grief alone," continued he, 
^^ makes me regret life. As for myself, I die 
easy ; although a sinner, I have done nothing 
which can give me remorse, or trouble my con- 
science. I have always served Grod with piety ; I 
have fought, and I die for him. I hope in his 
mercy. I have often seen death near, and I fear 
it not. I leave life with confidence, and 1 only re- 
gret you ! I had hoped to make you happy. If I 
have ever given you cause to complain, forgive 
me." His countenance was calm, he seemed al- 
ready in heaven ; only when he repeated to me, 
'• I regret nothing but you," his eyes filled with 



241 

tears. lie said again to me : ^^ Comfort yourself 
by tliiiiking that I am going to heaven ; God in- 
spires me with this confidence. It is for yon I 
weep." At last, no longer able to bear it, I went 
into a closet which was near. M. Diirivault re- 
turned ; M. de Lescure told him to lo(»k for mc, 
and to bring me back. He found me on my knees, 
suffocated by my tears ; he tried to encourage me, 
and took me back into the room. 

M. de Lescure continued to speak to me with 
tenderness and piety ; and seeing what I suffered, 
lie added with kindness, that perhaps he was mis- 
taken as to his situation, and that it was betler to 
have a consultation of physicians. I sent for them 
immediately. He said to them, *' Gentlemen, I 
do not fear death; tell me the truth, I have some 
preparations to make." 

He wished, I believe, to receive the sacraments, 
and to renew a will he had made in my favour; 
but I repulsed with horror all that announced death 
near. The physicians gave some hope. He an- 
swered them calmly : " I think you are mistaken; 
but do not fail to give me notice when the moment 
draws near." 

They quitted Laval the 2d of November, with- 
out having determined positively if they should go 
to Rennes. The road to Vitre was the shortest to 
go there. Stofflet, on his own authority, took the 
road to Fougeres, with the colours and the drums, 
which were usually under his direction. 

On the road, M. de Lescure learned a piece of 
news whi-ch I had carefully concealed from him, 

Hh 



S4S 

and which did liim a great deal of harm. The car- 
riage having stopped, somebody came and read to 
hirn from a newspaper the details of the Queen's 
death. He cried out, ^^ Ah ! the monsters have then 
killed her ! — I fought to deliver her ! If I live, it 
will be to revenge her ! — No more quarter." This 
idea never quitted him ; — he spoke incessantly of 
this crime. 

In tiie evening, we stopped at Mayenne ; the 
next day, we continued our journey. The army, af- 
ter a skirmish, in which it succeeded completely, 
entered Ernee ;— -we passed the night there. I 
was overwhelmed with fatisiue. I threw myself on 
a mattress by M. de Lescure, and went into a 
deep sleep. During it, they perceived all at once 
that the patient lost his strength, and was dying. 
They put on blisters. He asked for the same con- 
fiissor whom he had had at Yarades ; but, an in- 
stant after, he lost his speech. He received abso- 
lution and extreme unction. They had made no 
noise, not to awaken me. At one o'clock in the 
morning, sleep left me, and I saw the frightful si- 
tuation in which M. de Lescure had fallen. He 
was still sensible, without being able to speak. 
He looked at me, and raised his eyes to Heaven in 
tears ; he even squeezed my hand several times. 
J passed twelve hours in a slate of despair and 
distraction impossible to paint. It is difficult to con- 
ceive how so much misery can be borne. Towards 
noon, we were forced to quit Ernee, and continue 
our journey. This appeared impossible to me. I 
wanted them to leave us, at the risk of falling ipto 



213 

tlie hands of the Blues. The Chevalier de Beau- 
volliers wished to remain with ns. They represent- 
ed to me, that, exposing myself to a horrid death, 
was disobeying; M. de Lescure. They told me his 
bo<ly would fall into the power of tlie republicans. 
I had already been struck with that i<lea. The in- 
dignities to which the body of M. de Bonchamp 
had been sjibjected, had made a deep and horrid 
impression on me, and I could not hear the idea of 
such a profanation. This decided me to fpiit Er- 
nee. What a fiightful war ! what enemies! To be 
obliged to steal from their fury a dying man, who 
had fought so generously, and so often spared 
them ! Thus I was condemned to see his last mo- 
ments disturbed, and hastened by the agitation of 
tlvis fatal journey. I got first into the carriage on 
the mattress by M. de Lescure. Agatha was on 
the other side. He suffered dreadfully. All our 
friends represented to me that the surgeon was 
more useful than me, and that I prevented his giv- 
ing the necessary cares. They made me get out of 
the carriage, aitd put me on horseback. My mo- 
ther, the Chevalier de Beauvolliers, MM. Jagault, 
Durivault, and the Chevalier de Mondyon, sur- 
rounded mc, and took care of me. I saw nothing ; 
— I had lost all power of thinking. I distinguish- 
ed neither objects, nor what I felt. A dark cloud, 
a frightful void, surrounded me. 

I will own, that, finding on the road the bodies 
of many republicans, a sort of secret and involun- 
tary rage made me, without saying any tjjing, pusli 
on my horse, so as to trample under foot those who 



24* 

had killed M. de Lescure. In about an hour, I 
lieard some noise in the carriage, and sobs ; — I 
wanted to rush in. Tliey told me M. de Lescure 
was just the same; that the cokl would hurt him 
if the door was opened ; and they drew me olf. I 
suspected my misfortune; but 1 dared not persist. 
I dreaded the answer which would be made me. 
I repulsed with horror the suspicion which ,had 
seized me. I had lost all power, and I abandoned 
myself to what they chose to do with me. 

I remained seven hours on horseback, close to 
the carriage. The weather was rainy. In approach- 
ing Fougeres, we heard the town was taken, after 
a battle, which had been murderous for the repub- 
licans. They had thrown up some ramparts of 
earth before the entrance, and our people had 
made an opening through, where only one wagon 
could pass at a time; therefore there was a great 
stoppage on our arrival. They told us it would 
take two hours before the carriage could enter the 
town ; — it was even almost impossible to go in on 
horseback. They entreated me to walk. I suffer- 
ed insupportable pains.. They represented to me 
that it was a duty to preserve myself for the child 
within me, and whose existence I had exposed so 
much. I suffered myself to be led, exacting from 
the Chevalier de Beauvolliers a promise, that he 
would take me to M. de Lescure as soon as the 
carriage arrived. My mother was opposed to it ; 
she bad tried already more than once to draw me 
from this sight of grief. 



815 

Wlitn I wanted to walk, I found it was impossi- 
ble. Suffering and fatigue had bent me so double, 
I could not raise myself. It was qnile night. 1 
found myself alone in the croud with the Chevalier 
de Beauvolliers : he tried to carry me; but though 
very strong, he was himself so exhausted with grief, 
that he could not. We arrived, dragging ourselves 
along, in the first house of Foiigeres. Some good 
soldiers who were lodged there made me draw near 
the fire, gave me a little wine, and took care of me 
till a carriage sent by my motlier came to conduct 
me to the lodging which she had in the town. I 
found there abed prepared ; they wanted me to go 
to it. I placed myself near the fire, w ithout saying 
any thing, I asked from time to time if M. de Les- 
cure's carriage was arrived. When I heard it, I 
made every body go out, and claimed the Cheva- 
lier de BeauvoUicrs's promise. He and I were 
alone ignorant that all was over. He went out. A 
moment after, he returned bathed in tears, took my 
hands, and told me I must think of saving my 
child. 

In reality, the time when I had heard a noise in 
the carriage had been the last of M. de Lescure. 
The surgeon had got out ; Agatha wished to do the 
same ; but then thinking that seeing her I should 
be sure of my fate, she had had the courage to pass 
seven hours in this horrible situation. She was in 
a swoon more than two hours. She had been brought 
up with M. de Lescure from her infancy. 

The room in which I lay at Fougeres was a pas- 
sage room. The perpetual going and comings the 



2m 

presence of our people, though they dared not 
speak to me, was insupportable. I believe, how- 
ever, that if I had been at liberty to have given 
way to my despair without constraint, I could not 
have resisted it. I began to feel pains which seem- 
ed to announce a miscarriage ; they became so vio- 
lent as to make me scream. M. Putaud, a physi- 
cian, at whose house we lodged, was called. He 
declared I should miscarry if I was not bled instant- 
ly. M. Allard was there, and not knowing where 
the surgeons were lodged, he went down into the 
street, calling out, "A surgeon! help! a woman 
is dying!" A man presented himself; he brought 
him to rae immediately. I have never known the 
name of this surgeon, but his figure and the fright 
he caused me are still present to me. He was six 
feet high,* looked ferocious, had four pistols at his 
girdle, and a great sabre. I told him I was afraid 
of being bled. ^^ I have killed," said he, " more 
than three hundred men with this hand^ and this 
very morning I cut off the head of a gendarme ; 
I shall know very well how to bleed a woman. 
Come, give me your arm !" I held it to him ; he 
bled me; the blood came out with difficulty, and I 
found myself sick. All night M. Putaud gave me 
composing medicines. 

The next day, MM. de Larochejaquelein, de 
Bauge, Descssarts, and the Chevalier de Beau- 



* Six feet French, equal to nearly six feet and a half 
English. 



247 

volliers, particular friends of M. de Lescure, en- 
tered my room ; they seated themselves far from 
me, without speaking a word, and in tears. In a 
quarter of an hour Henri rose ; he came and em- 
braced me. " You have lost your best friend/' I 
said to him ; " after me, you were the dearest to him 
in this world." He answered, with an accent of 
grief I never shall forget, " If my life could re- 
store him to you, I would bid you take it." The 
old M. d'Auzon came also to embrace me. Every 
body wept, and looked upon the loss of M. de 
Lescure as the greatest misfortune. 

It was soon a kind of consolation to me to speak 
incessantly of M. de Lescure, to recal to my me- 
mory all tliat related to him, to hear how much and 
how deservedly he was regretted, and deserved to 
be so. This sentiment never will leave me ; it will 
be that of my whole life; it first inspired me with 
the wish of writing these memoirs. 

I had always a dreadful terror of seeing M. de 
Lescure's body a prey to the outrages of the repub- 
licans. I wanted to have it embalmed and take it 
with me in the carriage ; it was opposed absolute- 
ly ; they represented to me the dangers to which I 
exposed the child I bore. I made the Abbe Ja- 
gault promise that he would perform this melancho- 
ly duty. He had a solemn service celebrated at 
Fougeres, and he had the bowels buried there. 
The body was put iu a coiRn, and placed in a wa- 
gon. They had found on this body the marks of 
the hair cloth which M. de Lescure had worn in 
his youth, unknown to every body. 



gl8 

M. Ja?ault was taken ill some days afterwards 
at Avranches. They took advantage of this circum- 
stance to bury the coffin. I never knew the real 
eause. They made me believe at first there was 
some delay and blunder as to the arrival of the 
wagon ; I ratl»er think it was my father who had 
it buried secretly on the road. He had always 
strongly opposed my frantic design of not separat- 
ing myself from it. However that may be, it is still 
a subject of regret to me not to know where his re- 
mains are deposited; — I have at least the certainty 
that they have not fallen into the hands of the re- 
publicans. 

The uneasiness on account of my health dimi- 
nished a little ; there only remained a constant 
slow fever;, which lasted more than six months, 
and which reduced me to a state of weakness and 
apparent decline. 



S19 



CHAPTER XVI. 



Arrival of two Emigrants sent from England.'-^ 
Jlouta by Fontorson and Jlvranches. — Siege of 
Granville. — Return by Avranches, Pontorson, 
and Dol. 



I AM going to continue the melancholy ac- 
count of my misfortunes j they were at their height, 
but the sufferings of the Vendeens were still to he 
much increased. The officers were occupied at 
Fougeres, with what had already been attempted 
at Laval, namel}'^, to organise the army. It was de- 
termined that the council of war should be compos- 
ed of twenty-five officers j M. de Donnisan, gover- 
nor of the conquered districts, and president of the 
council ; M. de Larochejaquelein, commander in 
chief; M. Stofflet, major-general ; M. de Talmont, 
general of cavalry ; M. Dehargues, adjutant-gene- 
ral ; M. de Chevalier Duhoux, deputy-adju- 
tant ; M. de Beauvolliers, treasurer-general ; M. 
d'O***, commander of the engineers ; M. de Ma- 
rigny, commanding the artillery ; M. de Perault, 
second in command ; M. Desessarts, commanding 
the Poitevine division of M. de Lescure; le Che- 
valier BeauvoUiersj second in command ; M. de 
yilleneuve de Cazean, commanding the division 

li 



2d0 

of M. de Larochejaquelein ; M. de Bauge, second 
in command ; M. de Fleuriot, commanding the di- 
vision of M. de Bonehamp ; M. d'Autichamp, se- 
con^tin command ; Messieurs de Lyrot, d'lsigny, 
de Piron, de Royrand (but he was dying), de Ros- 
taing, the Chevalier Detouches, formerly an admi- 
ral, de la Marsonniere, Berard, aide-major of Mes- 
sieurs Stofflet, and M. de Lacroix. The curate of 
St. Laud had also the privilege of assisting at the 
council of war. 

"^' All the officers who were in the council, were to 
have as a distinctive mark a white sash with a co- 
loared knot, which was to mark the difference of 
rank. M. de Larochejaquelein had a black knot, 
M. Stofflet a red knot, &c. The inferior officers 
had a white scarf round the arm; all which was 
become necessary. On the left bank^ each one knew 
his chief ; they marched by parishes. After the 
passage of the Loire it was otherwise. Whole pa- 
rishes had passed the river, men, women, and chil- 
dren. In some others, not an individual had fol- 
lowed the army. Some companies found themselves 
without their commanders, and some commanders 
without their companies. 

During the three days that we passed at Fou- 
geres, two emigrants arrived from England. I am 
not sure I remember exactly their names ; but I 
think they were M. Freslon, of the Parliament of 
Mennes, and M. Bertin. Both were disguised as 
peasants. The despatches were hidden in a hol- 
low stick. They read first a letter of the King of 
England;, flattering for the Vendeens, and in which 



251 

help was generously offered them. A letter of Mr. 
Dnndas entered much more inlo details. He be- 
gan by inquiring what our ol>ject was, and our po- 
litical principles. He added, that the English Go- 
vernment was quite disposed to assist us ; that 
troops were ready to bear upon any point we 
should name. He indicated Granville, as appear- 
ing preferable. The two envoys were authorised 
to concert measures with the generals as to the 
landing, and they assured us of the exact perform- 
ance of their stipulations. 

When the two emigrants had delivered the Eng- 
lish despatches, they broke the stick lower down, 
and took out a short letter of M. du Dresnay, one 
of the principal Breton emigrants, then in Jersey, 
who was in correspondence with the English mini- 
stry. He wrote to the generals, that they must not 
place entire confidence in the promises of the Eng- 
lish. It was true that the preparations for a land- 
ing were made, and all seemed to announce they 
were in earnest ; but he saw so little zeal and real 
interest for us, that we must not depend entirely 
upon that appearance. He added, that the emi- 
grants continued to be treated as before by the Eng- 
lish Government; that of all those who were in 
Jersey, none could obtain the permission, so much 
wished for, of going to La Vendee, and that they 
had even just disarmed a great number of them. 
We learned also by this letter, that the princes 
were not yet in England. 

The two emigrants said they coincided in opi- 
nion with M. du Dresnay, and that it was impossi^ 



252 

ble not to have doubts, if not of the good faith, at 
least of the activity of the English. They were 
afflicted with the situation of the army, and shew- 
ed much discouragement. Thus their mission bore 
the same character as that of M. de Tinteniac. 

It was, however, necessary to accept the offers of 
the English, though not placing entire confidence in 
them. In the almost desperate situation of the 
army, nothing was to be neglected ; and it was a 
point of great importance to take a sea-port, by the 
assistance of the English, in which we might depo- 
sit the crowd of women, children, and wounded, 
who embarrassed the march of the army. They 
had already spoken of Granville ; M. d'O*** 
said, it was easy to take it by surprise. They dtu 
cided on this attack; the signals were agreed upon 
with the two envoys. If the town was taken be- 
fore the arrival of succours, a white flag between 
two black ones, was to give notice of it to the Eng- 
lish, 

The King of England's letter was answ^ered 
with expressions of respect and gratitude. A me- 
morial to Mr. Dandas was minutely drawn up. He 
was assured once more, that the Vendeens had no 
other intention than to replace the King on the 
throne, without interfering with the mode of go. 
vernment he should choose to establish for the good 
of his people. Above all, they asked for a prince 
of the royal family, or a marshal of France, to com- 
mand the army, to put an end to the conflict of pri- 
vate pretensions. They next solicited for reinforce- 
ments of troops of the line, or at least artillerists 



g53 

and engineers. They represented how destitute 
they were of ammunition^ of military stores, and of 
money ; and they said, tiiat even 500,000 francs 
would be a great help. 

The two emigrants were commissioned to thank 
M. dn Dresnay verbally. All these despatches 
were prepared by tlie Chevalier Desessarts in a 
council, of which my father was president, and 
signed l»y all the members. 

Another less important mission had preceded the 
other some days. M. de St. Hilaire, a naval oflR- 
cer, had sw|im over to St. Laurent during the pas- 
sage of the Loire. He was not charged like M. 
Bertin, to negotiate between the finglisli and Ven- 
deens : he had not even any despatches from mini- 
sters ; but he brought a brief from the Pope, ad- 
dressed to the generals. This brief stated, that the 
pretended Bishop of Agra was a sacrilegious im- 
poster. The curate of St. Laud was appointed to 
read this brief, which was in Latin, as usual. The 
generals were confounded, and embarrassed what 
to do. They resolved to keep the affair secret, to 
avoid the scandal and mischief it would occasion 
in the army. It was spoken of so little, that I did 
not know it till I came to Pontorson ; if they had 
taken Granville^ they would have shipped off the 
bishop secretly. P^very body was shocked at his 
having deceived the whole army on so serious and 
holy a subject ; and, besides, they thought there 
might be some treachery under it. 

Thus, after leaving St. Florent, they began to 
treat him coolly, and to withdraw all confidence 



^51 

from him. This did not make much alteration, for 
the insignificance of his talents and character, and 
the manoeuvres of the curate of St. Laud, had al- 
ready, in a great degree, destroyed his influence. 
He had hurt himself also by his behaviour at Beau- 
prean. Instead of putting any constraint upon 
himself, and being regular and edifying in his 
c<mduct, as he was always at Chatillon, he had 
given himself up to society, and had passed five 
weeks without performing mass. Madame d'El- 
bee informed me of all this when I saw her at 
Beaupreau. However, in spite of it h^e was still 
liked; on account of his good and obliging dispo- 
sition. Even after the arrival of the briefs, some 
people pitied him, and were angry with the curate 
of St. Laud, who, it was supposed, suspecting the 
fraud, jealousy having made him quicker-sighted, 
had found means to write secretly to the Court of 
Rome, to solicit the brief, (which I do not believe 
he could possibly have done.) The bishop soon per- 
ceived something was found out, and his detection 
appeared the more inevitable, when passing through 
Hoi he was known again. It was there that, being 
vicar, he had taken the oath, which he had a,fter- 
wards retracted. From this time he became pro- 
foundly melancholy, though to appearance uncon- 
scions of what had happened. 

A negotiation of another kind was going on at 
Foug;eres. M. AUard had taken a lawyer of Nor- 
mandy, w ho had been enrolled by force in a bat- 
talion. This man ofl'ered to do the Vendeens a 
piece of service. He said he was much connected 



253 

with a M. BougoD, a magistrate fprocureuv syn- 
dic J of Calvados, who had had a great share in the 
revolt of that department in the month of June 
1793. He said M. Bougon would be happy to 
rejoin the army, and that he would certainly be 
very useful by his talents, his courage, and his in- 
fluence in the Calvados. He asked for a passport 
to go for him. They hesitated a good while, at 
last they granted it. M. Bougon arrived. He 
was in reality a very clever man, speaking with 
I facility, and as fit to execute as to advise. He 
proposed to march into Normandy, and was cer- 
tain an insurrection might easily be excited there. 
His project seduced many chiefs. M. de Talmont 
particularly liked M. Bougon very much; but they 
had promised to attack Granville ; and it was too 
late to recede. 

Leaving Fougeres, after having rested there 
three days, the army marched to Granville, by 
Dol, Pontorson, and Avranches. There was some 
resistance in this latter town ; but the garrison 
soon retired. The prisons full of suspected royal- 
ists were thrown open. A detachment of cavalry 
sent to Mont St. Michel, delivered a number of 
wretched priests who had been heaped up in this 
fortress. They had suffered so much, that the 
greatest part of them were unable to follow their 
deliverers. 

All who could not fight remained at Avranches 
with the baggage, and the army marclied to Gran- 
ville about thirty thousand strong. The attack be- 
gan at nine o'clock at night. Very imperfectly 



^56 

prepares^j some ladders were the only means they 
liad of entering a town surrounded by ramparts ; 
yet the first ardour of the soldiers was so great, 
that the suburbs were carriedj and they scaled the 
outworks of the place by planting bayonets in the 
walls. Some even reached the ramparts with M. 
Forestier : but a deserter who had his white jacket 
still on having called out, We are betrayed ! Sauve 
qui jjeiit ! our people fell back, and M. Forestier, 
overthrown into the ditch, remained there insensi- 
ble three hoars. It was in vain M. Allard shot the 
deserter tlirough the head ; the Vendeens, who had 
beencarriedaway by a rapid movement, had time 
to reflect on their temerity, and stopped in their at- 
tack. The republicans defended themselves obsti- 
, nately ; they succeeded in setting fire to the suburbs. 
Disorder began then to shew itself in the Yendeen 
army. The soldiers, whose first onset had failed 
ultimately, were discouraged as usual. The attack 
from which they hoped most was along a flat shore 
which the tide left uncovered; it did not succeed, 
because two small vessels froai St. Malo demolish- 
ed the Vendeen batteries. They vainly expected 
assistance from the English ; their great expedition 
could not have arrived ; but as they heard the can- 
non in Jersey, they might have sent vessels and re- 
inforcements. The mere appearance would have 
secured us the victory. The long range of the can- 
non on the ramparts, to which our soldiers were 
unaccustomed, disheartened them. The chiefs and 
the officers redoubled their efforts. The Bishop of 
Agra went through the ranks exhorting thera^ and 



257 

seeking for a death which liis situation made desi i 
rable. The Swiss performed prodigies of valour? 
there were raan^' of them killed. This unfortunate 
attack was continued the next day and the follow- 
ing night, because they expected the English. MM. 
de Perault, Roger- .'-touliniers, de Villeneuve, the 
Chevalier de Beanvolliers, the respectable M. le 
Maignan, were wounded. Tlie number of besie- 
gers diminished continually by the sword and de- 
sertion, and the whole army was in fact disbanding 
themselves. At last M. de Larocliejaquelein was 
forced to consent to a retreat. The attack had last- 
ed thirty-six hours ; there was no keeping the men 
any longer. There were no provisions j the am- 
munition was nearly exhausted ; no hope of present 
help from the English ; it was necessary to return 
to Avranches. There they wanted to adopt the 
project of M. Bougon. M. de Larochejaquelein 
set out immediately with some cavalry to seize 
Ville-Dieu, on the road, to Caen ; but a sedition 
broke out in the army. As soon as they found a 
route opposite to the banks of the Loire was in con- 
templation, the peasants assembled in groups, and 
insisted loudly upon being led back to their own 
country, and murmured against the generals who 
had taken them from it. It was impossible to think 
of any other road than the one they thus chose, and 
the greatest part of the officers also preferred. The 
soldiers would not hear reason, and would have 
abandoned their chiefs rather than follow them in- 
to Normandy. It was necessary to yield. The 
return to the Loire was announced, to the great sa- 

Kk 



9.!^ 



58 

tisfaction of all. The soldiers knew that Angers 
was the most important post on the road near the 
river. They cried out they would enter it, even 
thou^^h the walls were made of iron. 

M. de Larochejaquelein had heen as far as Ville- 
Bieii with M. Stofflet. The iahahitants defended 
themselves obsiinalely. They took and massacred 
some horsemen who were come as sharpshooters. 
^h' hen our troops entered the streets, the women 
thr- w stones from the windows. Henri called to 
them several times to retire 5 they continued obsti- 
nate ; some cannon were fired in the streets, and 
they ceased. Pillage was permitted in this town, 
because there was no garrison; but our people did 
not otherwise injure the inhabitants. M. de Laro- 
sl; :>jaquelein soon heard what passed at Avranches, 
aad was obliged to return. 

The next day we took the road to Pontorson. 
Six hundred republicans had come before it was 
light to destroy a bridge a league from Avranches ; 
tut the elder Lejeay being there with his company 
oi cavalry, heard a noise, and having assembled, 
some infantry, with M. Forestier, fell upon the ene- 
my. They pursued the Blues so briskly, that only 
ten escaped. They went almost to Pontorson, and 
being alone before the others, they found them- 
selves at a turn of the road in front of the enemy's 
army. They wanted to reti'eat, but Forestier had 
a restive horse whom he could not turn. He called 
out, '"Help, Lejeay! I am lost!'' Lejeay came 
back and took the bridle of his horse. They saved 
themselves amidst a shower of balls, and rejoined 
the army, which was advancing. 



259 

The republicans tried to defend Pontorson, but 
were beaten, and lost a great many men ; for they 
were charged with the bayonet in the streets. I 
arrived in a carriage at nine o'clock at night, as the 
fighting was just over. A femme-de-chambre, who 
took care of my poor little girl, and Messieurs Du- 
rivault and the Chevalier of BeauvoUiers, both 
wounded, were also with me. Tiie carriage passed 
every moment over dead bodies. The jolts and the 
cracking of bones broken by tlie wheels was horri- 
ble. When alighting, a corpse was before the door 
of- the carriage ; I was going to step on it, when 
they took it away. 

Foret was mortally wounded at Pontorson. They 
destroyed a cannon to have horses to put to a car- 
riage for him. The next morning a report was 
spread that MM. de Talmont, the elder de Beau- 
yolliers, and the curate de St. Laud, had quitted 
the army, aud gone in a fishing boat to Jersey. In 
less than an hour after their absence was perceived. 
Stofflet, who alone remained to command the rear- 
guard, had sent M. Martin to pursue them, and 
without any other explanation, took possession of 
M. de Talmont's horses, which remained at Av- 
ranches, broke open the chest of M. de Beauvol- 
liers, and was going to take or distribute every 
thing which belonged to these gentlemen, treating 
them like deserters. They arrived after three hours 
absence, without having seen M. Martin, and com- 
plaining loudly of the ill-treatment they had met 
with, and what had been said of them ; every thing 
which belonged to them was restored immediately. 



260 

It appeared that Madame de Cuissard, and her 
daughter, Madame de Fey, and Mademoiselle 
Sidonie de Fey, wives and daughters of emigrants, 
wanted to embark, and had begged the assistance 
of M. de Talraont. He had made a bargain with 
the master of a boat^ who was to take over these 
ladies to Jersey, and the following night he had 
conducted them to the water side, with M. de 
Beauvolliers, and some other gentlemen. The boat 
coold not approach land on account of the tide. The 
fisherman had called, out, the ladies might approach 
on horseback, without danger, but they dared not 
venture ; and while hesitating, the republican hus- 
sars, perceived at a distance, obliged them to re- 
turn precipitately. 

This affair at first made a great noise in the ar- 
my. Many people would not believe the justifica- 
tion of these gentlemen ; however, 1 have always 
been persuaded they told the truth ; what they said 
was quite probable. M. de Talmont was intimate 
with these ladies, and it was very natural not to 
think they could be suspected, while rendering 
them a service. As for M. de BeauvoUiers, he 
had two brothers whom he tenderly loved in the 
army ; his wife and his daughter were prisoners in 
Angers, and he was perpetually advising to march 
there, that they might be delivered. He left the 
military chest. M. de Talmont and he had not 
even taken away a portmanteau. Besides, they had 
too much honour to be capable of such a flight. 
Four days before, the ofiicers of the army had 
sworn not to abandon each other, let what would 



261 

happen. People were surprised that Stofllet, who 
was devoted to M. de Talmont, should behave so 
to him. The whole affair was soon forgotten, and 
they were reconciled.* 

We passed a day at Pontorson. I remember 
that M. de Larocliejaqueleiu came to see me, and 
gave an instance of those natural antipathies which 
no courage can surmount. A squirrel of an un- 
common kind, found in the room of a republican 
officer's wife, had been brought to me ; it was 
striped with black and grey, very tame, and I had 
him in my lap. As soon as Henri entered, and saw 
the little animal, he grew pale, and told me, laugh- 
ing, that the sight of a squirrel inspired him with an 
invincible horror. I wanted him to stroke it ; he 
resolved to do so, but trembled. He acknowledged 
this weakness with perfect simplicity, and quite 
unconscious that it was more singular in him than 
in another. 

That evening I met with an old Angevin pea- 
sant, who was in the army with five sons ; one of 
them was wounded ; the others carried him, and 
supported their father also. I gave up my room to 
this respectable family, and I went to lie down in 
a great hall on a mattress. 



* Since I Kave mentioned the treasure of the army, I 
must explain, that it consisted of some assignats, indorsed 
in the Kini^'s name ; a million in billets royaux, and per- 
haps 50,000 francs, in voluntary contributions. Neither 
soldier nor officer received any pay, but when any one 
was in want, he asked and was assisted. The disburse- 
ments were mostly for provisions and ammunition. 



^Q2 

We arrived at Dol, fatigued, and in want of 
provisions. I went to a room where the Chevalier 
de Beauvolliers already was, suffering from his 
wound. A moment after, Agatha came in crying. 
She told me there was in the kitchen a poor young 
man, whom they were going to shoot, and who did 
not appear guilty; she begged me to hear him. 
fie entered, and threw himself at my feet; his 
countenance was gentle and interesting. He said 
his name was Montignac ; he had been forced to 
inlist in a battalion at Dinan, and, in order to 
be able to pass over to the Vendeens, he had 
got himself sent to Dol. At the arrival of our 
advanced guard, he had left the gendarmes with 
whom he was, to come and meet our horsemen ; the 
first he saw was a tall young man, dressed in a blue 
great coat, and wearing a black and white scarf. 
He had declared to this young man, that he wished 
to serve with the Vendeens ; then M. de Laroche- 
jaquelein, for I knew it was him, had ordered a 
horseman to take care of the new comer. Entering 
Dol, Montignac lost sight of his horseman ; he 
wished to change his dress, and having seen twenty 
soldiers at a draper's, choosing what suited them, 
encouraged by this, he had taken away a piece of 
cloth ; an officer had met hira, and had conducted 
him to the council, as a pillager. He had still on 
a volunteer's dress ; they took him for a deserter, 
who came to give a bad example to our people ; 
and he was condemned. As he finished his story, 
Agatha came in, exclaiming, " Madam, here are 
the Germans coming to take him to execution !'' 



263 

He threw himself again at my feet : I resolved to 
save him. 1 went up to my father's, where the 
council was held ; when I was there in the midst 
of the generals, they asked me what I wanted. I 
did not dare to explain myself, and only answered^ 
*^ I came for a glass of water." I went down 
again, and with a tone of authority, said to the 
Germans, '^ You may go ; the council puts the 
prisoner under the guard of the Chevalier de Beau- 
volliers.'' They retired. I sent for M. Allard, 
and I hegged him to arrange this affair. I was 
liappy to save this poor man. The day before, I 
had been very much affected by the sight of three 
Mayen§ais passing my window on their way to 
execution, and with the courage and noble resig- 
nation they shewed. 



'M 



CHAPTER XVII. 



Battles of Dol. — March hy Entrain, Fougeres^ 
and la Fleche. — Siege of Angers. 

At nine o'clock at night, the town was alarmed, 
A patrole of republican hussars, taking advantage 
of the incorrigible negligence of our soldiers on 
guard, advanced to the entrance of the town. They 
cried, " To arms !" In an instant the army was on 
foot, and the hussars fled. 

The cries and the noise awakened me. I was 
so fatigued, I had fallen asleep, though suffering 
from hunger; my mother told me supper was over, 
but that I should find something to eat in a great 
kettle, which was on the table. In it had been 
mutton an^d potatoes dressed together, but being 
too much salted, it had been taken to the well to 
have water added to it. I picked out some pota- 
toes with my knife. Such was my supper, and I 
was glad to get even this. I have often felt abso- 
lute want of food. 

The first attack of the hussars was mistaken for 
the republican army coming upon Dol. Some offi- 
cers had been sent to reconnoitre, for it was im- 
possible to trust soldiers for this service ; very of- 
ten it was a single officer, and that the indefatiga- 



265 

ble M. Forestier. The patrole returned galloping 
towards midnight, and announced that we must 
prepare for the attack of a numerous array which 
was approaching. The town consists of a single 
wide street, which is the high road to Dinan ; on 
the opposite side, the road divides almost at the 
<*ntrance of the town into two branches, one to 
Ponterson and Avranches, the other to Antraia 
and Fougeres. It was but too easily to be fore- 
seen that it would be a dreadful action, and that 
we were all lost if not victorious. Every measure 
was carefully taken ; the women, the wounded, and 
all who could not fight, left the houses, and were 
ranged in files along the walls ; the baggage- 
wagons, the artillery in reserve, were in the mid- 
dle of the street. The cavalry, who were never 
used in the beginning of an action, because they 
were ill-mounted, and unskilful in manoeuvres, 
were placed in two rows, one on each side between 
the cannon and the women ; the horsemen, sabre 
in hand, held themselves in readiness to charge as 
soon as the enemy should begin to give way. To 
animate the soldiers, the drums beat to arms. The 
moment the Vendeens had formed themselves at 
the entrance of the town, the attack began, in the 
midst of a dark night. The cries of the soldiers, 
the roll of the drums, the fire of the howitzers, 
casting a transient gleam over the town, the noise 
of the musketry and cannon, the smell and smoke 
of the powder, all contributed to the impression 
made on those who expected life or death from tlie 
issue of this battle ; in the midst of this we kept 

L 1 



g66 

profound silence. We had already passed half an 
hour in this cruel suspense, when all at once we 
heard at the entrance of the town, Advance caval- 
ry ! Vive le Roi ! A hundred thousand voices, 
men, women, and children, repeated the cry of 
Vive le Roi ! which told us our brave protectors 
had saved us from massacre. The horsemen went 
off at full gallop, crying with enthusiasm Vive le 
Roi I The light of the firing made their sabres 
shine through the darkness. A ray of hope reani- 
mated every heart. The women returned to the 
houses ; M. Durivault came to me. " I have done 
enough for a wounded man," said he ; it was in- 
deed heroic to fight in his situation. He told me 
the Blues were in full retreat. All the rest of the 
night we listened to the cannon, the noise of which 
growing gradually fainter, made us think the re- 
publicans defended themselves foot by foot. To- 
wards morning, however, they had retreated two 
ieagues. A thick fog arose at that moment ; and 
soon after my father's servant came in haste, and 
told us from him that we must instantly mount our 
horses and make our escape, because our soldiers 
were routed. They put me on a horse, and seeing 
that my mother and the friends who usually sur- 
rounded me were following me, I went on. The 
fatal news had already spread in the town. An 
immense crowd filled the street and were flying. I 
was dragged on by these fugitives. Soldiers, 
women, wounded, were all mixed, and I found 
myself alone among three or four hundred horse- 
men who tried to rally, and cried with a deep 



S67 

voice, " Forward, brave comrades, to death !'' 
fMlons, les braves, a la mort ! J It was not a war 
cry likely to prove encouraging, and they tied too 
like the others. 

I was dressed like a countrywoman ; I had 
taken these coarse clothes instead of mourning, 
and because they might help to save me ; grief, 
and a slow fever which consumed me, contributed 
still more than my dress to disguise me. I wa3 
among the horsemen quite bewildered, without 
knowing any body, or to whom to have recourse. 
A horseman held his sabre over me, saying, 
" Cowardly woman, you shall not pass.'^ " Sir, 
I am with child, and dyi;ig; have pity on me.'' 
" Poor wretch ! I do pity you," answered he, 
and he let me pass. I was afterwards stopped and 
insulted more than once. The soldiers, while fly- 
ing themselves, reproached the women very un- 
justly for doing the same, and of having caused 
the rout by their fears. At last I reached the end 
of the town, on the road to Dinan. I found M. dc 
Perault there at a small bridge, where, all wound- 
ed as he was, he was ordering cannon to be placed 
to protect the retreat, in case the Blues should take 
possession of the town. He commanded his engi- 
neers with perfect coolness, and exhorted the sol- 
diers to return to the battle. A little way from 
thence, I savr M. de Denan Duchesne, a youth of 
sixteen, aide-de-camp of M. de Talraont, who 
was endeavouring to rally the fugitives. He 
threatened, encouraged, urged them forward, and 
gave them blows with the flat side of his sabre \ 



268 

be did not know me. ^' Let the women stop too," 
said he, " and prevent the men from flying !" I 
placed myself by his side, and remained there 
three quarters of an hour without speaking, and 
witnessiog all his efforts ; he succeeded in making 
some soldiers go back*. 

This defeat was a shocking sight. The wound- 
ed, who could not drag themselves along, lay down 
in the road, and were trodden under foot. The wo- 
men screamed, the children cried, the officers struck 
th« runaways. In the midst of all this confusion, 
my mother passed without my knowing her. A 
boy was going to kill her because she was flying. 
She met M. de Marigny, who made way for her; 
and, as her horse was good, she was soon at the 
head. What then was her surprise to see M. Stof- 
flet, till then so brave, flying one of the first, and 
having lost all presence of mind ! She expressed 
her astonishment at meeting him in such a place. 
He appeared ashamed, turned back, as well as her, 



* Montignac wavS there. He took bold of my horse's 
bridle, saying, " You are my deliverer, I will not leave 
you j we will perish together." I was not yet very sure of 
him. «* You ought not to be here," I answered; "if 
you are not a traitor, go and fight." He had no arms. 
I told him he might easily find some, as our soldiers un- 
fortunately threw away too many muskets. He picked 
one up, and shewed it me with a pleased look, as he ran 
by me to the battle, where he bebaved bravely. He 
killed two horsemen, and took their horses, and being 
thus mounted, went into the cavalry. 



269 

and began to rally the fugitives. The officers made 
then a last effort to induce them to return. M. d'Au- 
tichamp harangued them. M. de Marigny, with 
his Herculean stature, and his sabre in his hand, 
was like a madman. The greater part of the offi. 
cers had run after the soldiers to rally them. They 
represented to them they were without any asylum; 
that Dinan was a strong place, and that, if they 
went on, they would be stopped by the sea, and 
massacred by the Blues ; and told them they were 
abandoning a victory already gained. They made 
them observe their general was still on the defen- 
sive, as the noise of the cannon did not approach. 
'^ Will you abandon your brave general?" said 
they. *^No," called out many voices. '^ Vive le 
Roi and M. de Larochejaquelein !" Every where 
the same arguments were used to them. My father 
was at the separation of the road below the town 
to stop those who came that way. 

The women did not shew less ardour in recall- 
ing the soldiers to their duty. My mother exhort- 
ed tliera, and was not discouraged herself. Ma- 
dame de Bonchamp, who was in the town, rallied 
the men of her husband's army. ^Notwithstanding 
my Avant of courage, I had also the desire of oppos- 
ing myself to the rout; but I was so weak and ill, 
that 1 could hardly stand. I saw at a distance 
some of my acquaintance, but did not venture to 
move to join them, for fear of adding to tl»e confu- 
sion, and appearing to be running away. A num- 
ber of women shewed prodigies of resolution and 
decision of character. They stopped the runaway?. 



S70 

struck them, and opposed their passing. I saw the 
femme-de-chambre of Madame de la Chevalerie 
take a musket, put her horse into a gallop, crying 
out, " Forward ! women of Poitou !" 

The priests exercised a still greater influence. 
It is the only time that I have seen them fanaticise 
the soldiers, as the republicans called it, by em- 
ploying all the means of religion to animate them ; 
and I cannot conceive it can ever be made a re- 
proach to them, since the massacre was otherwise 
certain, and humanity required their zeal. While 
they paused to listen to the cannon, the curate- of 
St. Marie de Rhe got upon a hillock near me, 
raised a large crucifix, and with a stentorian voice 
began to preach to the Vendeens : he was carried 
away by his enthusiasm ; he asked the soldiers if 
they would really be so infamous as to give up 
their wives and their children to be slaughtered by 
the Blues : he told them the only means of safety 
was to return to the battle. "My children,^' said he, 
" I will march at your head, the crucifix in my 
hand : let those who choose to follow me kneel, 1 
will give them absolution; if they die, they will go 
to Paradise ; but the cowards who forsake God and 
abandon their families, will have their throats cut 
by the Blues, and will go to hell." More than 
SOOO men knelt down, and he gave them absolution 
with a loud voice ; and they departed, calling out, 
" Vive le Roi ! we go to Paradise !'' The curate 
was at their head, and continued to excite them. 

We remained more than six hours scattered over 
the meadows which were on the road side, waiting 



271 

our fate : from time to time, we heard our people 
slill had the advantage; however, we dared not re- 
turn into the town ; at last it was kuowu that llie 
victory was complete, and that the republicans had 
retired. We went back to Dol. The soldiers, 
officers, priests, every body, congratulated each 
otiier; the women were thanked for the share they 
had had in this success. I «aw the curate of St. 
Marie return at the head of iiis troop, with the cru- 
cifix still in his hand; he was singing the Vexilla 
MegiSj and every one knelt as he passed. 

We then learnt all that had happened in the bat- 
tie. The attack had begun at midnight; the Ven- 
deens had fallen with fury on the republicans, and 
had made them give way. The darkness of tiie 
night, and the rage of tlie two parties, was such, 
that, in the midst of the confusion, the combatants 
grappled hand to hand, and tore each other to 
pieces ; they took cartridges from the same caissons. 
Some Vendeens had approached a battery ; the 
artillerymen mistaking them for Blues, called out, 
" Comrades, get out of the way, we are going to 
tire !" then our soldiers, knowing them by the light 
of the fire, killed them at their guns. At seven 
o'clock in the morning, the republicans had been 
driven back to within two leagues and a half of Dolj 
on both roads. M. de Larochejaquelein was in the 
left wing, on the road to Pontorson. When he 
saw the Blues in full retreat on this side, he want- 
ed to go the right to the Antrain road, where he 
still heard a brisk firing. The powder was just 
exhausted ; the artillerymen had sent horsemen on 



^73 

the full gallop, to fetch some more ; the thick fog 
made the soldiers imagine that it was a movement 
of the enemy's cavalry ; they were frightened, 
and fled ; the officers ran to rally them ; it was 
thought they also were flying, and the terror aug- 
mented. The rout, once begun, the bravest suffer- 
ed themselves to be drawn into it. This was the 
sight which presented itself to Henri, when, ac- 
companied by M. Allard, the Chevalier Deses. 
sarts, and some other officers, he Went to the right. 
He was in absolute despair, thought all lost, 
and was determined not to survive. He advanced 
towards the Blues to seek death, and remained se- 
veral minutes with his arms crossed, in front of a. 
battery. M. Allard tried in vain to prevent him, 
and entreated him not to sacrifice himself, Mean- 
w bile a continued fire was heard at the extreinitj 
of the right wing. M. de Larochejaquelein ran 
there ; he found M. de Talmont, who, at the head 
of 400 men, maintained his position with heroical 
courage, a fog deceiving the republicans as to our 
strength, and the flight of our people. MM. de la 
Marsouniere and de Bauge had not forsaken him, 
and together they managed a gun, which had been 
left by the artillerymen. Henri arrived to the as- 
sistance of M. de Talmont, and his presence 
brought back some soldiers ; others, rallied hy their 
officers, returned also, and then tiie affair was com- 
pletely decided. Had there been less disorder, they 
might have disturbed the retreat of the republicans, 
and obtained a greater advantage, but they could 
not pursue them. This battle did great honour to 



S73 

M. (le Talmont. M. de Larochejaquelein, and the 
whole army, took pleasure in repeating that he had 
saved them from ruin. The vigour and manner in 
which M. Stofflet had stopped the rout, made it be 
forgotten that he had at first suffered himself to be 
drawn into it. Some officers did not reappear ; ei- 
ther they had fled too far, or their resolution was 
exhausted. We were surprised not to see M. Kel- 
ler, who had always shewed so much bravery. He 
went to Paris, and hid himself there for a year ; 
after which he joined the Chouans, but they, tak- 
ing him for a spy, shot him. M. Putaud, a physi- 
cian of Fougeres, at whose house I had lodged, 
and who commanded the Bretons, had joined ouu 
army when we passed that place. He also did not 
reappear ; he had, however, fought very well at 
Grranville, and at Pontorson. In 1792 he bad beea 
in the King's guard, and had made himself famous 
for his duels with the Jacobins. In the short time 
he had past in the army, he had shewed courage, 
though accompanied by boasting. He was taken 
prisoner soon after by the Blues, and perished on 
a scaffold at Rennes. Many other officers, less 
knovv^n, also disappeared. M*** took advantage 
of the opportunity; it was known that he had 
reached the coast, and succeeded in getting over to 
England, where he passed himself off for one of 
our generals. 

I too had a great mind to seek an asylum in Eng- 
land, but I knew nobody there in whom I could 
confide. I knew the Blues massacred the women 
and children who fell into their hands ; but I hop- 

M m 



^74 

ed the army might regain Poitou, and I abandoned 
myself to the common fate. We passed a quiet 
night. The next day the republicans, knowing 
what had happened the day before, at ten o'clock 
returned again to the attack by the two roads ; the 
Vendeens fought with courage, and the success 
was never for a moment doubtful ; but the enemy 
defended himself with so much obstinacy, that the 
battle lasted fifteen hours. It finished by the com- 
plete defeat of the Blues, who lost an immense 
number of men. They were pursued quite to An« 
train, and it was in the town itself the greatest 
slaughter took place. 

Too much afraid to remain in the town, I had 
gone with my mother and other women some dis- 
tance off to wait the result of the battle. M. de St. 
Hilaire commanded a patrole on this road, to ob- 
serve if the garrison of Dinan came on our rear ; it 
did not come out, and he succeeded in getting some 
provisions for the wounded. We lost two brave 
officers in this battle. Wiiile M. Dehargues was 
pursuing the hussars, his horse became unmanage- 
able, and carried him into the midst of the enemy's 
squadron, and there falling down, he was taken, 
without being able to make any defence. MM, 
de Larochejaquelein, and de la Roche St. Auche 
were also surrounded bj/ the hussars ; they defends 
ed themselves a long time. Henri escaped, and 
returned immediately with some horsemen to deli- 
ver M. de la Roche St. Andre, who was mortally 
wounded. But it was in vain he pursued the hus- 
sars beyond Pontorson ; they could not recover M. 



^75 

Dehargues. His white scarf had marked him to be 
a chief, and he was instantly carried away at full 
gallop. He perished at Remies on the scaffold, 
and shewed great courage, calling out at the execu- 
tion Vive le Roif 

M. de Laroehejaquelein, after the victory did 
not bring the army back to Dol. The baggage, the 
women, and all who did not fight, left the town to 
join him at Antrain. The streets were still full of 
blood and dead bodies when we entered it. We 
found no provisions, and every body suffered much 
from hunger. I lived on some onions which I ga- 
thered in a garden. The curate of St. Marie, who 
had animated the soldiers so much at Dol, employed 
himself with the same ardour in obtaining the par- 
don of some republican prisoners condemned to 
death.* The following day the army marched on 
Fougeres, and took possession of it without resist- 
ance. We stayed in it one day; a Te Deum was 
sung for the victories of Dol. It was a heart-rend- 
ing ceremony, from the contrast it presented with 
our desperate situation. From Fougeres we went 
by Ernee to Laval, and passed two days there ; 
then to Sable and to la Fleche. In all this route 
we had not seen any Blues ; the defeats of Dol had 
frightened them. The remains of their army had 
retreated to Angers, and fortified it in haste. We 



* That is to say, the prisoners of war made by us, or 
by foreign powers, who were retaken with arms in their 
hands, the wounded excepted. 



^76 

found some abattis of trees on fire in several parts 
of the road ; but not a soldier defending them. Our 
entry into all those towns, that we had occupied a 
few days before, was to us a sight of horror and 
despair. Our wounded, our sick, the children who 
could not follow us, our hosts, those w^ho had shewn 
us any pity, had been massacred by the republi- 
cans. Each of us went on with the certainty of 
perishing in battle, or being put to death a little 
sooner or later. 

From laFleche we came under the walls of Au- 
gers, and slept in a village two leagues from it. 
The following day the attack began. The repub- 
licans had barricaded all the entrances, and pro- 
tected all the weak places by ditches and ramparts 
of earth. They had batteries in good situations, 
and were satisfied with defending themselves with- 
out attempting a single sortie. Our people, who 
expected to fight man to man, and who had 
never known how to attack the least fortification, 
were discouraged as soon as they saw the good 
position of the Blues. The cannon destroyed a great 
many of our people as soon as they approached. It 
was in vain the chiefs ordered a general assault ; 
they could never persuade the Vendeeus to it. 
These poor men, who, since they left Granville, 
had talked of nothing but of taking Angers at all 
events, had lost their accustomed ardour. Griel", 
hunger, misery of all kinds, had borne them down. 
Entreaties and threats were alike useless ; they 
were even promised the pillage of the town ; but far 
from encouraging the Vendeens, this idea shocked 



277 

them very much, notwithstanding our horrible situ, 
ation and the cruelty of the Blues. The greater 
part said, that God would abandon us if we allow- 
ed ourselves to do such a thing, so much morality 
was there among our peasants. Our artillery, how- 
ever, performed its duty well, and endeavoured to 
make a practicable breach. The generals, officers, 
and cavalry, who had dismounted, continued the 
attack with obstinacy ; they could not drag the sol- 
diers forward, but they kept them together. 

I had advanced with my family towards Angers, 
and all the people who followed the army had done 
the same. Depending upon a quick and easy suc- 
cess, we were all heaped together in the suburbs. 
The inhabitants were no longer there ; they had 
been ordered into the town ; their houses were un- 
furnished, many were even burned. We carried 
straw into a large room. I threw myself on it with 
my mother, and a number of other people. I was 
so overcome with fatigue, that I slept for several 
hours, amid the noise of cannon ; we were very 
near them, the shot nearly reached us. The attack 
had lasted twenty hours. When I awoke the next 
morning, 1 got upon my horse without speaking to 
any person, to learn the news. 

I was informed, and I saw myself that our sol- 
diers would not attempt the assault, and that there 
remained very little hope. I seemed to have lost 
my head, and still went on ; I met the Chevalier 
Desessarts coming back wounded in the foot. He 
told me, that our batteries having made a small 
breach, MM. de Larochejaquelein, Forestier, de 



S78 

Boispreau, Hindis, and he, had thrown thiemselves 
in it, but nobody ventured to follow them. MM. 
de Eoispreau and Rinchs had l)een killed, himself 
wounded ; the two otliers had found great difficulty 
in retreating. His recital, and vvhnt I saw, gave 
me a kind of wish of exposing my«elf to the fire, 
and risking my life, so much di«S I suffer in the 
situation in which we were. I continued to ad- 
vance. I had not more courage than usual, for I 
was excessively friglitiuied, but my despair drove 
me on, as it were, in spite of myself, into the midst 
of the fire. My father, who was in the hottest of 
the action, perceived me at a distance, and called 
to me to return. I stopped irresolute. He sent a 
horseman, who took the bridle of my horse and 
led me back. I experienced a secret feeling of 
satisfaction in thus seeing myself out of the danger 
which 1 had gone to seek. I returned to my mo= 
ther ; she was alone ; her carriage had stopped on 
the road. My aunt got into it again, with my little 
girl. An instant after, the postillion came and told 
us, the enemy's hussars were. coming to attack us 
from behind ; that he had cut the horses' traces, 
and that ray aunt had got out as qnickly as slie 
could come to us. I ran to the place where she 
was likely to be. I found my child in her nurse's 
arms, who was bringing her back to the house; 
but it was impossible to find my aunt. The horses 
were taken from the baggage- wagons and the car- 
riages. The crowd pressed round to escape the 
hussars, but could not advance on the other side, 
because the balls from the town reached our first 



279 

wagons. I wanted to go to our carriage, wliicli 
was at the head of them, a hall and a hiscayen 
passed close by me. While I was employed in tlie 
melancholy search of my aunt, M. Forestier arri- 
ved, and told me, he Avas going with the cavalry 
to repulse the hussars. The calmness and confidence 
with which he spoke, struck me very much ; his 
hat and his coat were pierced with balls : " Here," 
said he, shewing me two holes, " were the balls 
which killed Boispreau and Rinchs." 

The cavalry drove away the hussars, though 
supported by light artillery. M. Richard, who 
had lost an eye at Chatillon, was wounded in the 
arm, and made prisoner in this battle. General 
Marigny, who commanded the cavalry of the 
Blues, was so charmed with his bravery, that he 
sent him back immediately, but on foot, without 
his arms. M. de Larochejaqueleiu returned in- 
stantly two dragoons, fully equipped, to General 
Marigny, the only ones whom he had taken, thank- 
ing hira, and offering him, in future, ten prisoners 
for one. This was the only republican general 
who had shewn us humanity, and he was killed 
that very day. 

After an attack of thirty hours, we were obliged 
to raise the siege of Angers ; the retreat began 
about four o'clock in the afternoon. We remained 
a great while to look for my poor aunt, calling to 
her, examining every house in the neighbourhood, 
without being al)le to discover the smallest trace 
of her. My mother was inconsolable; my father 
sent people every way in search of her, with as 



380 

little success. At last, when it was no longer pos- 
sible to remain behind, without running the risk 
of being taken, we followed the army, thinking 
my aunt might have concealed herself, as she had 
a great deal of money about her. We never knew 
the particulars of her strange and melancholy dis- 
appearance ; but we heard of her being taken pri- 
soner, and perishing on the scaffold two days af- 
terwards. 

I got to within two leagues from Angers. Cold, 
fatigue, and grief, had almost rendered me insen- 
sible. I threw myself on a mattress with my mo- 
ther, surrounded with many other people. Almost 
the whole army bivouacked. 

We had now lost every hope of safety ; the ar- 
my gave itself up to the most complete despair ; 
they no longer saw any means of repassing the 
Loire. All the schemes which had been formed 
depended on the taking of Angers. The officers 
were discontented with the soldiers, who had not 
shewn the ardour which was expected from them» 
Sickness increased every day. On all sides the 
cries were heard of the wounded wretches whom 
we were forced to abandon. Famine and bad wea- 
ther added to all this misery. The chiefs were 
harassed in mind and body ; they knew not what 
determination to take. 



281 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

Return to La Fleche. — Defeat of Mans, 

Before any thing bad been decided as to the 
jroute that was to be taken, we went to Bauge, 
which we took possession of without resistance. 
M. de Royrand died on the road of the consequen- 
ces of his wound. The next day the cavalry of the 
Blues came to attack us with flying artillery. I 
saw the skirmish from my window ; the balls were 
rolling about the garden under it. Our people at- 
tacked the assailants briskly, and repulsed them. 
We pursued them two leagues on the road to An- 
gers, as far as the fine castle of Jarze. The repub- 
licans had set it on fire ; which we tried in vain to 
extinguish. We. lost few men in this affair. M. 
Boucher, commandant of the parish du Pin, was 
badly wounded by his musket bursting in his hand^ 
and completely disabled. 

It was necessary, however, to come to some de- 
termination as to the course the army should take. 
There was some idea of going to Saumur and 
Tours ; but these towns were on the left bank ; — 
there was no getting there but by the dike along the 
side of the Loire, and it was dangerous to engage 
in such a road. The Chevalier Desessarts, whose 
bravery and facility in speaking and writing gave 

Nn 



3813 

liini sometimes £00 much confidence in his own opi- 
nions, supported this plan most obstinately. He 
maintained, that, when upon the dike, it might 
be cut, which would turn off a great part of the 
water of the river, and make it fordable. There 
was no convincing him of the absurdity of this plan, 
particularly at this time of the year. It was at last 
determined to go to Mans by La Fleche. The 
peasants of Maine were thought to be royalists, 
and, besides, it was drawing nearer Brittany, 
where we might hope to get recruits, and to defend 
ourselves. We set out. I was in a carriage with 
the Chevalier de BeauvoUiers. His eldest brother 
came to the door to speak to us. He thanked me, 
with tears in his eyes, for the care I took of his 
brother, and entreated me to continue it, '^ As for 
nie,'' said he, ^^ I am the most unhappy of men. 
My wife and my daughter are prisoners at Angers i 
I hatl hoped to deliver them, but they will perish 
on the scaffold, without my being able to save 
them. Since we left Avranches, where I was so 
unjustly accused, many people suspect me ; I am 
indeed unfortunate.'' He bid us adieu, and then 
again turned back, begging me once more to take 
care of his brother. From that day he left the ar- 
my never to return to it. I do not believe, however, 
he had formed a settled plan of retiring from it ; 
and, indeed, he had left his own money and effects 
in the wagon of the military chest, and certainly he 
would have given them to his brother if he had 
thought he should not see him again. He told me 
the next time I saw him, that he had left the road 



S83 

with M. Langlois, his hrother-in-law, iu search of 
j>rovisions. He found himself intercepted by the 
hussars, and he then took decidedly the resolutloa 
which before had only occasionally occurred to 
him. His brother-in-law was taken and put to 
death. 

Our retreat was protected by a numerous rear- 
guard commanded by M. Piron. We expected to 
be attacked on that side ; but we did not think we 
should meet with much resistance before us. What, 
then, was our surprise and grief, when, coming to 
La Fleche, we saw the bridge broken down, and 
three or four thousand men placed on the other 
side ! We thought ourselves lost, for at the same 
moment M. de Piron was attacked. M. de Laro- 
chejaquelein gave orders not to give way either in 
front or rear, and to continue the fire. M. de Ver- 
teuil was killed there. He took three hundred brave 
horsemen, with three hundred infantry mounted 
behind them, and went up the river three quarters 
of a league, found a ford, and came towards even- 
ing to the gates of the town, made his soldiers dis- 
mount, and rushed into the streets at the head of 
his troops, calling out Vive le Roi ! The Blues, 
surprised and frightened, fled by the road to Mans. 
M. de Larochejaqueleinhadthe bridge repaired as 
quickly as possible, and hastened to the rear-guard, 
where he repulsed the enemy's hussars. A part of 
the army entered the town ; the baggage remained 
on the road till day-light. I slept in my carriage. 
The next day the cavalry returned to the attack ; 
the army w as worn out with fatigue. M. de La- 



§81h 

rochejaquelein, accompanied by MM. de Bauge 
and Allard, and very few officers, defeated once 
more the enemy's detachments; and when the bag- 
gage had entered, he ordered the bridge to be 
again destroyed, and thus secured twenty-four 
hours repose to the army. He was vexed and dis- 
contented with the carelessness of the officers wI»o 
remained at La Fleche, leaving him to figiit almost 
alone. " Gentlemen," said he with bitterness, 
<^^you not only contradict me in the council, but you 
abandon mo in the field." 

While I was at La Fleche, I looked for an asy- 
lum for my poor little girl. Nobody would under- 
take the charge of her, notwithstanding the rewards 
I offered ; she was too young to be concealed and 
kept from crying. Madam Jagault succeeded in 
finding a person to take her daughter ; but she be- 
ing four years old, could understand the necessity 
of being silent, and did not endanger her hosts. 

The army bore on Mans. The bridge was not 
destroyed ; but they had raised a rampart, furnish- 
ed witli chevaux de frise, and planks stuck with 
large nails to prevent the passage of the cavalry. 
Notwithstanding which, M. de Larochejaquelein, 
after a brisk skirmish, soon penetrated into tlie 
town. It was in this affair that M. de Talmont 
distinguished himself by a great exploit. Singled 
out by a hussar on account of his general's scarf, 
he called out to him, ^^1. wait for you." He did 
in reality wait for him, and cleft his head with a 
blow of his sabre. 

Every body was overcome with fatigue. The 
day's journey had been long. The wounded and 



285 

the sick, of whom the number were rapidly increas- 
ing, earnestly begged to be allowed a longer stay 
in a large town, where they found food and com- 
forts; and, besides, they wanted to restore the army 
to a little order, recal its wonted courage, and con- 
cert some plan. Generals, officers, and soldiers, 
every body was cast down. It was evident we 
should all be destroyed sooner or later, and that 
the st,rug2;les we made were only the agonies of 
death. We were surrounded with suffering ; the 
sight of the women, children, and wounded, weak- 
ened the strongest minds, at the very time when a 
miraculous courage was necessary. Our misfor- 
tunes had soured the minds, and produced disagree- 
ment among the chiefs. The check at Angers, the 
loss of all hope of re-entering La Vendee, had given 
the last blow to the spirit of the army. Every body 
wished for death ; but as they saw it certain, they 
preferred waiting for it with resignation, to retard- 
ing it by fighting. In short, every thing presaged 
our utter ruin. 

Mans is situated on the high road from Alencon 
to Tours : the road from Paris to Angers crosses it 
half a league from the town. A large bridge on 
the Sarthe is half way between the roads and the 
suburbs. The Alencon road crosses a large square, 
then a small one, where a narrow street, which in 
the continuation of the cross road of Mans to Laval, 
ends. I lodged in this small square. The second 
day, early in the morning the republicans attacked 
Mans ; they were not expected so soon. The day 
before, levees en masse had appeared, and had 



S86 

been soon dispersed. The enemy advanced in 
three columns^ on the point where the roads cross 
each other. M. de Larochejaquelein placed a 
considerable body in ambuscade, in a pine wood 
on the right. It was there the defence was most 
obstinate; the Blues were even repulsed more than 
once, but their generals always brought the columns 
back again. Our people grew discouraged in see- 
ing their efforts were useless. Little by little many 
letLirned into the town; even some officers suffered 
themselves to be drawn along. At last, about two 
o'clock in the afternoon, the Yendeens being thrown 
into confusion on the left, they were obliged to aban- 
don the wood. Henri wanted to put his remaining 
troop in a field, protected by hedges and ditclies, 
where it might easily stop the cavalry, but he never 
could' succeed in rallying it. Three times he, MM, 
Forestier and Allard, darted into the midst of the 
enemy, unaccompanied by a single soldier. The 
peasants would not turn to fire even once. Henri, 
making his horse leap a ditch, the saddle turned, 
and he fell ; he rose tilled with despair and rage. 
It had not been decided what road should be taken^ 
in case of defeat ; or any orders given for the de- 
fence of the town, or for a retreat. He wanted to 
enter it, to take measures, and try to bring back his 
soldiers. He galloped into Mans, throwing down 
the poor Vendeens, who, for the first time, were 
deaf to his voice. Every thing there was already 
in confusion ; he could not assemble a single officerj 
with whom to concert measures : his servants had 
not even kept a fresh horse ready for him. He re- 



S87 

turned, and found tlie republicans coming to the 
bridge ; he had aitillery placed there, and it was 
long defended. At last when the sun was setting, 
the Blues found a ford, and passed; the bridge 
was abandoned. They then fought at the entrance 
of the town, till the general, officers, and soldiers, 
renouncing all hope, suifered themselves to be car- 
ried along in the rout, which had been long begun; 
but some hundreds of men remaining in the houses, 
fired from the windows, and not knowing exactly 
themselves what was passing, stopped the republi- 
cans all night, who hardly dared to advance in the 
streets, and had no idea our defeat was so total. 
There were officers who stayed there till four 
o'clock in the morning ; I believe the last were 
MM. de Sepeaux and Allard. Some brave pea- 
sants had steadiness enough not to leave the town 
till eight o'clock, escaping, as it were, by a mira- 
ele. It was this circumstance which protected our 
disorderly flight, and which preserved us from a ge- 
neral massacre. 

From the very beginning of the battle, we fore- 
saw its final issue. 1 was lodged at a Madame 
T***'s, who was a woman of education, very rich, 
and a republican. She had seven young children, 
whom she tenderly loved. I resolved to trust my 
child to her; it was Jier sister-in-law who had re- 
ceived the little Jagault. I entreated her to take 
charge of it, to bring it up like a poor little peasant, 
and only to give it sentiments of honour and virtue. 
I told her, if she was destined ever to recover her 
situation, I should bless heaven for it ; but I should 



S88 

be resigned to her always remaining in poverty, if 
she was virtuous. Madame T*** refused me po- 
sitively ; but told me politely, that if she had taken 
my daughter, she should have treated her like one 
of her own children. I have been surprised since 
then to hear that this lady, who belonged to one of 
the best and most respectable families, behaved 
with cruelty towards our prisoners, after our de- 
feat. While I was conjuring Madame T***, the 
cries of the vanquished were heard; she left me. 
Then seeing all hope was over, I wanted at least 
to save my child. I hid it, without telling any 
body, in Madame T***'s bed ; depending on her 
not having the cruelty to abandon the innocent 
creature. I went down. They put me on horse- 
back, and opened the gate. I then saw the square 
filled with a crowd, pressing and throwing down 
each other in their flight ; and in a moment I was 
separated from every person I knew. I perceived 
M. Stofflet taking away the colours. Meanwhile, 
as there was a free space along the wall, I stept 
that way; but, when I wanted to turn into the street 
which leads to the Laval road, I found it impossi- 
ble; it was there the press was the greatest, and 
quite suffocating. Wagons and cannon were over- 
turned; the oxen lying on the ground could not 
rise, and kicked those who had fallen on them. An 
infinite number of people trodden under foot, cried 
out without being heard. I was dying with hun- 
ger and fear, and could scarcely see, as it was 
growing dark. At the corner of the street, two 
horses were fastened to a fence, and barred my 



289 

way. The crowd pualied them constantly towards 
me, and then I was confined between them and the 
wall. I called out to the soldiers as loud as I 
could, to take them, and ride off. They did not 
hear me. I saw a young man on horseback pass 
near me, with a gentle countenance. I took his 
hand. " Sir," said I to him, " have pity on a 
poor woman, sick, and with child. I cannot go 
on." The young man began to cry, and answer- 
ed, *^ I am a woman also ; — we shall perisli to- 
gether, for I cannot make my way in the street 
any more than you can." We both stayed and 
waited. 

Meanwhile the faithful Bontemps, the servant 
of M. de Lescure, had looked for my daughter 
every where. He found her, and had her in his 
arms. When he perceived me in the middle of the 
crowd, lifting her up, he called to me, " I save my 
master's child." I bowed down my head, and re- 
signed myself. An instant after I perceived ano- 
ther of my servants. I called him. He took my 
horse by the bridle, and making way for me with 
his sabre, he led me along the street. We arrived 
with great difficulty near alitile bridge in the sub- 
urb on the road to Laval ; a cannon was overturn- 
ed on it, and encumbered the passage. At last I 
found myself in the road, and I stopped with many 
others. Some officers were there, trying to rally the 
soldiers ; but all their efforts were useless. 

The republicans, hearing a great deal of noise 
on our side, pointed their cannon towards us, and 
fired over the houses. A ball whistled above my 

O o 



290 

head ; an instant after I heard a fresh discharge, 
and I leaned down involuntarily over my horse. 
An officer who was there reproached me with an 
oath for ray cowardice. " Alas ! Sir/' said I, " a 
poor woman may be permitted to bend her head 
down when all the army flies ;'' and in fact, this 
firing made our people begin again to run who had 
stopped. Perhaps, had it been light, they might 
have been rallied. I went on in the crowd, and met 
M. de Sanglier. He had lost hi^ wife the day be- 
fore, was sick himself, and had his two little girls, 
who were also sick, on horseback. His horse had 
not even a bridle. He informed me we were going 
to Laval. I found successively several of my ac- 
quaintance, whom I knew by the moon-light. 
Some leagues from Mans I saw my father and M. 
de Larochejaquelein arrive. They had long tried 
to rally the soldiers. Henri came to me. " Ah ! 
you are safe," said he. "I thought you must have 
been dead," I answered, " as we are beaten." 
He grasped my hand, saying, " Would I were 
dead!" 

I was in a horrible situation. A servant still led 
my horse by the bridle, and supported me. Sol- 
diers made me drink brandy out of their gourds ; 
I had never tasted any. I wanted to have water 
mixed with it, but none could be found except in 
the puddles. After that my father never quitted me. 
My mother and my child were safe, but I did not 
know where they were. Twelve leagues from 
Mans I stopped at a small village. The night was 
become so dark, that a woman who followecj me 



291 

went with her horse on a mill-dam. She fell into 
the water, as might easily have happened to me. 
I knew not if tliey were able to save her. M. de 
Bonchamp took refuge in the same house with me. 
A great part of the army stopped in this village. 
There was but little room in the cottages. The road 
was covered with poor people, who, overpowered 
with fatigue, were sleeping in the mud, without 
even thinking of sheltering themselves from the 
rain. The next morning we set out again. Hunger, 
fatigue, and suffering of all kinds, had so worn out 
every body, that a regiment of hussars might iiave 
exterminated the Vendeeu army. Little by little, 
those who had remained behind and in the village, 
during the night rejoined us. We arrived at LavaU 
I found there my mother and my child. It was 
there we had time to perceive the losses we had 
suffered. The defeat of Mans had cost the lives of 
more than fifteen thousand men. It was not in the 
battle the greatest number had died ; many were 
crushed to death in the streets of Mans ; others 
wounded and sick, remained in the houses and 
were massacred. Some died in the ditches and in 
the fields near the road. A considerahle number 
followed the Alencon road, and there were taken 
and conducted to the scaffold. 

During the battle, the Chevalier Duhoux was 
killed. M. Herbault, that virtuous and brave man, 
was mortally wounded. His friends wanted to stay 
by him. " No," said he, " you shall not expose 
yourselves in vain for me ; only lay me by the side 
of M. de Maignan.'' They both insisted upon be- 



iiig left alone ; and having distributed among them 
their arms and effects, they waited for death with a 
truly Christian resignation. Two brave oj0&cers 
wounded at Angers, MM. I'Infernat and Couty, 
died there also. 

A great many officers never appeared again. M. 
de Solilhac was taken, and shut up in a church to 
be shot the next day. He succeeded in saving 
himself; some others were equally fortunate. 
Among the horrible massacres of which the con- 
querors were guilty, there were traits of courage- 
ous humanity which preserved many Vendeens. 
But in leaving Mans tiiey ran new dangers ; they 
went on only to be taken, and to perish farther off. 
MM. de la Roche-Courbon, Carriere, Franchet, 
and de la Bigotiere, had this raelanclioiy fate. M. 
d'Autichamp was luckier; for having been taken, 
M. de St. Gervais, his relation, a republican offi- 
cer, knew him again, and dressed him like a hus- 
sar, as well as M. de Bernes- These gentlemen 
found themselves enrolled among the republicans ; 
they fought as common soldiers for a year against 
the northern army. They afterwards re-appeared 
in the secontl insurrection. 

M. d'O*** disappeared also at Mans. It was 
since known that he was in the service of the re- 
publican army with a superior rank. This circum- 
stance, added to the advice he had given for the 
attack of Granville, occasioned strange suspicions, 
of which there had even been some whisper before. 
However, it ought to be said, that M. d'O*** al- 
ways fought bravely ; and especially at the affair o'l 



293 

Granville, bo shewed so much courage and devot- 
ed ness, that the officers who were near him on that 
day have always doubted of the infamous treache- 
ry of which perhaps he has been falsely accused. 

Such was the deplorable defeat of Mans, in 
which the Vendeen array received its death-blow ; 
it was inevitable. This terrible catastrophe might 
easily have l)een foreseen, when we quitted the left 
bank of the Loire, with a mnltitude of women, chil- 
dren, and old people, to seek an asylum in an un- 
known country, ignorant even of the road to it, and 
at the beginning of the winter. Tl»e having so 
long warded it off, was the greatest glory of the 
generals and soldiers. 



^y 



mi 



CHAPTER XIX. 

Mtemiit to repass the Loire, — Defeat at Savenay, 
— Dispersion of the •3irmy. 

I LODGED at Laval in the same house where I 
had been before ; but the owner, whose name was 
M. de Montfranc, was no longer there. After the 
Vendeens passed, he and his family bad been ar- 
rested ; they reproached him with having received 
us ; in vain he represented, that an inhabitant had 
tto power of refusing lodging to conquerors, they 
would not listen to him ; he perished on the scaf- 
fold. The truth was, however, that he was dis- 
posed in our favour, but that being infirm, he had 
done nothing which could implicate him. 

The next day, at ten o'clock, as we were setting 
out for Craon with the wreck of the army, the ar- 
rival of the republican hussars was announced, and 
every body quickened their march ; going out of 
the town, I saw M. de Larochejaquelein ; he told 
me it was only a false alarm, that he had been re- 
assuring the soldiers, and stopping their flight, and 
that he was returning to breakfast quietly at Laval. 
He begged me not to be uncasj', and assured me 
we shonld get to Craon without interruption. This 
was the last time I ever saw him. 

At Craon we read the newspapers ; they inform- 
ed us that my poor aunt and seven hundred fogi- 



293 

lives liad been found in the environs of Angers, 
tried, and shot. This shocking news threw my 
mother into despair ; we loved my unhappy aunt 
tenderly. She was, though eighty years old, most 
amiable, and her piety of the gentlest kind. 

From Craon, the army went to St. Marc, on 
their way to Ancenis. We marched day and night 
in order to be enough in advance of the republican 
army to pass the Loire without interruption. The 
roads were bad, and the weather cold and rainy; it 
was scarcely possible to drag on the sick and 
wounded. I saw a priest carrying one on his should- 
ers, and sinking under the weight. My child was 
dying from illness, and still more from fatigue : I 
lay down with her in the wagon which carried the 
military chest ; we had no longer any carriage ; I 
travelled thus for some leagues. 

We arrived at Ancenis the morning of the I6tli 
of December. M. de Larocln jaquelein had enter- 
ed the first without resistance, and was already pre- 
paring for the passage of the Loire. He had taken 
a small boat from a pond at the Chateau de St. 
Marc, and had placed it in a wagon. He foresaw 
we should have no means of passing, because the 
republicans would take away the boats on our arri- 
val ; the opposite shore was in their power, and 
they had troops at St. Florent ; however, M. de 
Larochejaquelein Avas assured that a small body of 
insurgents had appeared before Ancenis some days 
before. We found a small boat at Ancenis, but 
we saw on the other side four large ones loaded 
w ith hay. M. de Larochejaquelein, seeing that no- 



296 

body would attempt the passage, determined to pass 
himself immediately, seize the boats by force if ne- 
cessary, have them cleared out, and defend the 
landing-place against the Blues ; and, above all, 
he hoped to hinder the Vendeens from disbanding 
themselves, when they arrived on the left bank, as 
was much feared they would. 

MM. de Larochejaquelein, de Bauge, and Stof- 
ilet, wentin the boat brought in the wagon, andM. 
de Lan2;erie in the other, with eighteen soldiers. 
All the advanced guard of the army looked anx- 
iously on these two boats, on which our fate seem- 
ed to depend. In the meantime they gathered to- 
gether boards, casks, and wood of all sorts, to 
mak'" into rafts. The curate of St. Laud preached 
to the peasants, to occupy them and prevent disor« 
der. 

M. de Larochejaquelein got to the other side. 
While he was employed in clearing the boats, a 
republican patrole bore on that point; there was 
some firing, and our soldiers were soon dispersed 
and pursued. At the same time, a gunboat, placed 
before Ancenis, fired on the rafts, as soon as they 
were floated ; many were sunk. The river was 
strong and rapid, and very few soldiers could get 
over, notwithstanding the great wish they had to 
reach the left bank. 

Thus was the Vendeen array deprived of its last 
hope, and separated from its general. Nothing 
now remained but death. At the same moment, 
the hussars, and some pieces of flying artillery, ar* 
rived before Anccois ; hut the gates were barricad- 



397 

ed, and the Blues dared not attack. They threw 
shot into the town with no effect. We knew not 
what to do. M. de Beauvais, an artillery officer, 
threw himself into a small hoat, and promised to 
return in twenty-four hours, and bring us news of 
what was passing on the left bank. The officers 
promised not to leave each other, hut wished, above 
all things, to cross the Loire. Some succeeded ; 
M. AUard did the next day ; for, being aide-de- 
camp to M. de Larochejaquelein, he was anxiously 
bent on following him. The army was dispersing 
fast. Some concealed themselves in the country ; 
others went up or down the river to seek a pas- 
sage. Some having heard of an amnesty granted 
to those who would inlist in the other army (a false 
report, purposely spread by the republicans) chose 
to go to Nantes. Our servants asked our leave to 
do this. We told them, in the situation in which 
we were, every one must try to save his life ; but 
that this amnesty did not appear probable. They 
persisted in believing it, and protested to us, what 
was very true, that their sentiments for us and for 
our cause liad not altered, and that they would de- 
sert the first favourable opportunity. Two days 
afterwards, they set out for Nantes, where the 
greatest part of these worthy people perished. My 
mother's two women remained with us. 

It was now become necessary to quit^neenis. 
The army of the Blues was advancing, and going 
to surround ns. We went towards Nort. It was 
during this journey I concealed my child ; — she 
was the object of my greatest uneasiness. The poor 



298 

thing was very ill, and there was no possibility of 
taking her with us during a flighty which, besides, 
according to all appearance, would not save us. At 
last, after much searching, I found a person who 
offered to conceal her with some good peasants 
near Ancenis. I consented. I gave them money, 
and promised them a considerable annuity if it ever 
was in my power. I dressed my child like a pea- 
sant's, and set out with a feeling like death at my 
heart. 

33v this time, I do not helieve we were more than 
ten thousand. We stopped at Nort, and staid 
there twenty-four hours. Disorder continued to 
prevail among the few Yendeens that remained 5 
it was so great, that some officers divided among 
themselves the military chest. I was with my 
father, and mother, and the Chevalier de Beauvol- 
liers, when M. de Marigny came and informed us 
of this vile action. He was in a violent passion, 
and had tried in vain to prevent it. I should be 
very sorry to throw suspicion on any persons what- 
ever for this affair. I am quite ignorant who was 
guilty. 

Some moments afterwards, we heard the cry, 
^' To arms ! here are the Blues !" We fled, and 
the whole army did the same. The bravest no 
longer thought of defending themselves. M. Fo- 
restier, and some others, mounted their horses, 
struck into the country, and crossed the Vilaine. 
It was then our servants, and 150 cavalry, surren- 
dered themselves to the false amnesty. 



S99 

During this time, ray father, the Chevalier De- 
aessarts, a brave dragoon named Moulin, who was 
only seventeen, and some others, went towards 
the republicans with a piece of cannon. They 
waited for the hussars, fired upon them with case- 
shot, and killed seven or eight, and thus made 
them turn back. We passed the rest of the day 
quietly at Nort. The next day, we went to Blin ; 
M. de Fleuriot was appointed general there. It 
appears M. de Talmont was hurt at this prefer- 
ence, which decided him to quit the army. In our 
horrible situation, the wish of commanding was 
nothing but an excess of self-devotedness. Every 
instant deprived it of some of its officers. M. de 
Fleuriot made preparations for defence ; some 
pieces of cannon were placed on the road, and loop- 
holes made in the walls. The light troops of the 
Blues were repulsed, and we passed two days at 
Blin; it was necessary, however, to leave it before 
the arrival of the republican army. We were in- 
clined to go to Redon, but we feared the long and 
narrow causeway to it. However, the republicans 
had not prepared any means of resistance, and it 
would have been the best way, if we had known 
it. We set out for Savenay in the middle of the 
night ; it was cold, and rained hard. Nothing can 
give an idea of our despair ; hunger, fatigue, and 
grief, had transformed us all. Every body was 
in rags. We had great difficulty in knowing each 
other, under all these appearances of the most 
wretched poverty. I will give some description of 
it. Besides my peasants' dress, I had on my head 



300 

a purple flannel liood, an old blanlset about lat, 
and a large piece of blue cloth tied round my neck 
with twine. I wore three pair of yellow worsted 
stockings, and green slippers, fastened to my feet 
with cord. My horse had a hussar's saddle, with 
a sheep skin (chabraque.) M. Roger Mouliniers 
had a turban, and a Turkish dress he had taken 
from the play-house at La Fleche. The Cheva- 
lier de Beauvolliers was wrapped up in a lawyer's 
gown, and had a woman's hat over a flannel night- 
cap. Madame d'Armaille, and her children, were 
covered with pieces of yellow damask. M. de 
Verteuil had been killed in battle with two petti- 
coats on, one fastened round his neck, and the other 
to his waist. He fought thus equipped. 

The republicans followed the Vendeen army 
very closely. I stopped with my mother for a 
moment at a farm-house, to ask for something to 
eat, when we perceived the hussars, and were 
obliged to gallop to rejoin the army. We entered 
Savenay ; the gates were shut, the fire of musket- 
ry began ; however, the rest of the day passed 
without a serious attack, and our people repulsed a 
detachment in advance. We supposed that the 
republicans meant to give us battle with all their 
forces, and we saw that our ruin was about to be 
consummated. About nine o'clock at night they 
made me get up. I had thrown myself on a bed 
with my clothes on ; they placed me on horseback, 
without my knowing why. I was going to alight, 
uncertain where I should go, when I heard M. de 
Marigny's voice. I called to him for information j 



301 

lie took the bridle of my horse, and without say 
ing a word, led me to the corner of the square. 
There he told me in a low voice, ^' It is all over ; 
— we are lost, — the attack of to-morrow cannot be 
resisted ; — in twelve hours the army will be ex- 
terminated. I hope to die ; — try to escape ; — save 
yourself during this night. Adieu! Adieu!" He 
left me abruptly, without waiting for my answer, 
and I heard him encouraging the soldiers, and 
trying to reanimate them. 

I returned to my mother ; she was with my fa- 
ther; the Abbe Jagault proposed to him, to take a 
man from the town, who could be depended on, 
for a guide, and who would conceal us at some 
good peasant's. I told my mother what M. de 
Marigny had said ; and she then consented to do 
what was proposed to her. My father leaned his 
head on his hands, and could not speak ; at last, 
however, he persuaded us to take this resolution : 
" As for me," said he, " my duty is to remain with 
Ihe army while it exists." He trusted us to the 
care of M. Jagault, conjured him not to abandon 
us ; and begged him to try to let him know where 
we were concealed. M. Jagault promised to return 
the next day to tell him. We dressed ourselves 
like peasants ; we embraced my father, but could 
not speak; he only said to me, ^' Never leave 
your unhappy mother." These were his last 
words. 

We set out about midnight with M. Jagault, and 
Mademoiselle Mamet, my mother's servant, who 
would not leave ns. We had still about sixty louis, 



and some assignats, with the King's signature.* 
We went out by a small gate, and took the road to 
Guerande ; we heard at a distance firing and hor- 
ses galloping ; we trembled every moment for fear 
of meeting a patrole ; however, we went three 
quarters of a mile, without finding any body, our 
guide continually stopping, and saying, " Listen ! 
listen !" then he went on repeating, " They are 
fighting." This man would not leave the high 
road. In spite of our entreaties, he wanted to 
make us go into a house ,* my mother gave him her 
watch to engage him to go on farther; he was 
drunk ; at last we persuaded him to leave the 
road; and then he conducted us across the fields: 
every step we fell into ditches full of water. We 
had wooden shoes on for the first time, and we 
could not walk in them. We were obliged to slop 
three quarters of a league from Savenay, as we 
could go no farther, and our guide was falling 
down, overcome with drink and sleep. We went 
into a cottage, the guide told us we were quite well 
there, and then fell asleep immediately. We soon. 



* After the passage of the Loire, between Varades 
and Ingrande, I had lost all my diamonds, trinkets, and 
money, which I carried in a box behind me on liorseback. 
Entirely taken up with M. de Lescure, I forgot them. I 
heard afterwards, that two of our servants had taken 
them? and I thought no more of them. They followed 
us one day, and then disappeared. One of them, who 
was very faithful, was killed, and the other ran away with 
the booty. 



303 

perceived we were at a very little distance from 
the high road : our hosts did not think themselves 
in safety ', they offered to conduct us to the Chateau 
de I'Ecuraye, the owner of which had emigrated. 
A peasant, who fiirraed the estate, lived in the 
house with his family; they told us he was a wor- 
thy man ; a young girl served us as a guide. Ma- 
demoiselle Mamet remained in the cottage. 

We set out, and at two o'clock in the morning 
arrived at the gate of the Chateau; they made us 
wait. My mother said, " I must die here, if we 
are not admitted." I threw myself on my knees 
to pray to God that they might not refuse us. At 
last the gate was opened. *^ Here," said the young 
girl, " here are some brigandes who have escaped 
to our house; but we are too near the road." — 
'^ Ah ! poor people," cried the farmer, and his 
wife, " Come in ! Every thing here is at your ser- 
vice." They warmed us, dried our clothes, which 
were quite soaked, and gave us something to eat. 
They wanted us to go to bed ; but we were too 
much afraid of being pursued. 

This worthy man's name was Ferret. He was 
quite transported with joy to have any Vendeens 
at his house; he told us the whole country had a 
mind to rise ; and that many young men were gone 
to Savenay armed, to join the Vendeens. He could 
not conceive why we ran away ; we dared not tell 
him all was lost, for fear it might produce a change 
in him ; and, therefore, only said we were sick. 
In a few moments we threw ourselves on a bed, 
and fatigue made us go to sleep. At eight in the 



304? 

morning, the noise of camion awoke us ; at the 
same time Ferret came into the room, calling out, 
<^' Oh God, what is this ? There are cannon firing 
on the road to Guerande, and people of all sorts 
flying over the heath." — " In the name of God 
save us!" we said, " We have been defeated," 
and it was too true. The Blues on horseback came 
towards the castle. " Fly," said La Ferret ; " my 
husband will conduct you to a small farm-house in 
the wood ; you will be safer there than here." The 
hussars were already knocking for entrance into 
the court-yard. We went out by a back door, and 
in three quarters of an hour we arrived at the farm- 
house of Lagree, in a very retired situation. " I 
bring you," said Ferret to the farmers, "some 
poor people whom I have saved." Some peasants 
were there grieving for our defeat, who had already 
taken their guns to join the Vendeens. They were 
much affected with our condition, and shewed great 
loyalty and goodness. 

Meanwhile, the hussars dispersed themselves 
every where. The farmer's wife advised us to se< 
parate, to prevent suspicion. She sent poor M- Ja- 
gault to work with the men ; he was sick, and as 
he had walked a great way, his feet were all bloo- 
dy. She placed my mother knitting in a dark cor- 
ner near the fire. She took me to a windmill at a 
distance from the house, and said to the miller, 
" Renaud, here is a poor Irigande whom you must 
take care of. If the Blues come, you must say she 
has brought some corn to be ground." I seated 
myself on a sack, and remained there four hours, 



S05 

every moment hearing the noise of the horses, the 
firing, and the cries of ^* Stop the hrigands ! kill 
them! kill them!" All the country was covered 
with fugitives, whom they were massacring. The 
Blues knocked at the door of the mill, to ask for 
something to eat and drink. Renaud answered he 
had nothing. I talked a little with this good fellow; 
he tried to encourage and comfort me. He spoke a 
great deal of our army, and asked who I was. I 
told him I was the daughter of a poor tradesman 
of Chatillon. We had not trusted our secret to any 
but Ferret. In the evening Renaud stopped his 
mill and took me back to Lagree. I lay down with 
my mother, without taking off my clothes. 

This farm-house, like all those of lower Britta- 
ny, was a low dark cottage. At the further end is 
a great chimney, in which they burn turf, its green- 
ish light shedding a ghastly hue on every object 
round. There are two or three very high beds, 
with straw mattresses under, and one made with 
oat chaff over, two narrow and short sheets, a 
homespun quilt, and sometimes shabby green cur- 
tains. At the foot of the beds chests are piled up 
one above another, where the peasants keep their 
grain. The stable is attached to the house, and is 
only separated from it by a board partition. The 
rack is placed in front of the cottage, and the oxen 
pass their heads through large holes made in the 
partition to eat out of it; their lowings and the 
noise of their horns against the boards woke us of- 
ten in a fright, thinking we were going to be taken. 
The hay-loft is always above the house. Theraf- 



306 

ters are painted black. Besides the entrance door, 
there is one opposite going into the garden, and an- 
other into the stable. 

The poor Bretons are very dirty. They smoke 
tobacco, drink out of the same pitcher, eat out of 
porringers, and have neither plates nor forks. 
Soup made with cabb^.ge (soupe aux choucc), and 
porridge made with huckwheat and sour milk, 
is their chief food ; luckily their butter is very 
good, and it was our resource. 

The next day we were forced to separate. The 
farmer's wife took me in the morning to the May- 
or's. In returning I saw two horsemen gallop past; 
they made us call out Vive la Republique ! At 
first I was very much afraid, and then I perceived 
they were two wretched Vendeens trying to escape. 
In the afternoon they conducted me to the jpTocu^ 
reur de la commune (a sort of magistrate), and his 
wife told me she would send me with her daughter 
to take care of the sheep. 1 was afraid she was a 
child ; but she came a moment after, and I saw a 
young woman of twenty, with a stick in her hand, 
according to the custom of Brittany, where neither 
men nor women ever go out without one. " Here, 
Marianne, here is the brigande," said Perrine to 
her.-^" Do not fear, mother," answered she, " I 
will take care of her. I will die rather than aban- 
don her ; provided we are attacked by only one at 
a time, I can knock him down with this stick." I 
went with good Marianne, who shewed us ever af- 
ter the strongest attachment. 

In the evening I returned to Lagree. After some 
days we stayed entirely at Marianne's father's 



307 

bouse. Though there were fewer people in his cot/ 
tage, he was not better lodged ; but we paid no at- 
tention to inconveniences ; sufferings and grief had 
made us quite insensible to them. We continued 
to lead the same kind of life. M. Jagault went to 
work with the peasants. They called him Pierrot; 
my mother was named Marion, and I Jeannette. 
I constantly tended the sheep with the faithful Ma- 
rianne. We were in a small parish called Prin- 
quiaux, which contained four hundred people. All 
the inhabitants were royalists and hospitable; not 
one capable of betraying us. The young men had 
refused to go to the array, and were concealed like 
ourselves ; the neighbouring parishes entertained 
the same opinions ; but to the left of the high road 
to Guerande the peasants were republicans. Those 
of our people who sought asylums there perished. 
It was the same in the towns. 

In a few days we saw again Mademoiselle Ma- 
met. She had run great dangers; the people at 
whose house we had left her did not dare to keep 
her after the defeat of the Vendeens. She w ent 
out, and found herself on the high road in the midst 
of the fugitives, who were pursued and fired at by 
the Blues. She arrived breathless at a peasant's, 
crying out, Have pity on me ! He took her in, and 
hid her immediately in a little recess covered with 
straw, where he kept turnips. The republicans 
came a moment after, and searched every wiiere* 
They run their sabres and their bayonets into the 
straw; Mademoiselle Mamet saw the points come 
near her, but she was not wounded. After that she 



308 

dressed herself like a Bretonne; and this worthy 
man, whose name Was Laurent Coehard, consented 
to keep her. She passed the winter at his house 
in the parish of La Chapelle, and from time to tirai 
came to see us. She was little and young, and like 
a child, which made her less liable to suspicion. 
Some days afterwards, another woman of my mo- 
ther, Mademoiselle Carria, left at Savenay, found 
also means of rejoining us. She had, when the de- 
feat became total, fled on horseback at full speed, 
without knowing where she was going to. She 
heard people killing behind her ; and after having 
miraculously passed through some revolutionary 
villages, she got to the houses of peasants who 
were royalists, and concealed her. Little by lit- 
tle she drew nearer, and had found us out. 

She gave us some details of that unfortunate 
battle of Savenay, of which she had been witness, 
and which completed the ruin of our army. She 
could speak to us of my father, whom she did not 
leave for several hours after we did. She had 
heard it said, before the battle, that if the Vendeens 
were conquered, which was very certain, he would 
retire with the officers into the forest du Gavre, 
with the last wrecks of the army; that from thence, 
either secretly or by force, they would repass to 
the left bank of the Loire ; but that, in all cases, 
they would fight and perish to the last man. My 
father made Mademoiselle Carria promise not to 
leave him, but to follow him in his retreat after th€ 
dispersion of the army, that she might seek lis out, 
and carry us news of Mm; which, probably, a wo- 



309 

lUAU might be able to do. In thus making his last 
arrangements, the idea of never seeing us again, 
distressed him even to tears. His resolution taken, 
he returned to the public square ; and during the 
whole night he, with M. de Marignyand the other 
chiefs, never ceased exhorting the soldiers to fight 
with desperation. All the wounded who could still 
sit a horse, took arms. M. de Marigny had the 
precaution of keeping in reserve two pieces of can- 
non, to protect the flight of the women and wound- 
ed by retarding the enemy on the road to Guerande, 
after the town should be carried. 

At the point of day, the republicans attacked, 
and the battle began furiously. M. de Marigny, 
at the head of the bravest, precipitated himself 
three times on the Blues, holding my standard, 
and shedding tears of rage. M. de la Voyerie, a 
boy of fourteen, did not leave him an instant. My 
father, M. de Lyrot, le Chevalier Desessarts, and 
M. de Piron, performed prodigies of valour. At 
last our people could no longer hold out. Then 
M. de Marigny placed his two cannon on the 
road to Guerande, and took some measures for Ih^. 
retreat. Twice he returned to the town in search of 
my father, and again a" third time, but could not 
find liim. M. de Lyrot had been killed. The 
republicans had seen M. de Piron fall, whom they 
well knew by his white horse, and whom they had 
learned to dread ever since his victory at Coron. 

M. de Marigny saw all was over. " Women,'' 
cried he, "all is lost! save yourselves!" He 
stopped his cannon in the little wood near Save- 



310 

igiay, and there began a second battle, which gave 
the fugitives time to escape. A brave gunner, 
named Chollet, stood at his piece to the last mo- 
ment ; and at last, after an hour's resistance, about 
1^0 horsemen regained the forest du Gavre. Ma- 
demoiselle Carria had lost sight of my father. 

This last resistance of the Vendeens must have 
been very heroical. Long after this melancholy 
period, I read in the gazettes of that time, and with 
pride, the following passage of a letter, written by 
one of the republican generals to M. Merlin de 
Thionville, the day after the battle of Savenay. 

*' I have seen and observed them well ; I again 
knew the same countenances of Chollet and Laval. 
By their appearance and looks, I swear to you 
they wanted nothing of soldiers but the dress.— 
Troops who have beaten such French, may well 
flatter themselves with conquering all other nations. 
In short, I know not if I am mistaken, but this 
war of brigands and peasants, on which so much 
ridicule has been thrown, and which people have 
affected to treat as despicable, has always appear- 
ed to me the one of the greatest importance to the 
republic, and that with other enemies we shall 
have only children's play." 



311 



CHAPTER XX. 

Hospitality of the Bretons. — Winter of 1793 afid 
1794j. 

We were living in constant alarms, for the 
Blues made every day inroads in tiie neighbour- 
hood. The fugitives and the inhabitants of the 
country were exposed to the cruelties and caprices 
of the meanest soldiers. When a peasant dis- 
pleased one of them, or refused any thing which 
was demanded ; if he even prepared for flight, in- 
stead of replying, the soldier would fire at him, 
or deliberately cut off his ears, and afterwards 
present them to a superior officer, as those of a 
brigand, (the name those real brigands gave the 
Vendeens.) Such deeds never failed to secure 
them praise or reward. The inhabitants of Pria- 
quiaux were surprised by a detachment when on 
their knees in the church ; the soldiers immediately 
fired on them ; happily there was but one man 
killed. 

Nothing could discourage the generous hospita- 
lity of the Bretons. Their custom of hiding priests 
and conscripts had rendered them watchful, and 
they had need of much address and coolness to 
conceal the fugitives from the searches of the re- 
publicans. Many of them were shot for having 



afforded an asylum to the Vendeens ; however, this 
did not diminish tiie devoted attachment which 
men, women, and even children, seemed to feel 
for us, nor cool their active humanity. A poor 
little deaf and dumb girl, fully aware of the dan- 
gers the fugitives had to avoid, used to §o and in- 
form them by signs of the approach of their pur- 
suers. Menaces or rewards had no power on the 
younger children. The dogs even, often beat by 
the soldiers, partook of the general feeling, and 
gave warning of their approach by unusual bark- 
ing. A fugitive might present himself with per- 
fect confidence at any cottage door ; if shelter could 
not be had, he was at least sure of obtaining some 
food, and directions to a place of safety: thesis 
good people were even offended if money was of- 
fered them. 

1 shall be obliged to pass over many of the mi- 
nute incidents, that I may have room for the prin- 
cipal ones. 

About the beginning of January, the visit of 
three armed men gave us a great fright; they came 
and asked for Marion and Jeannette. One was a 
Vendeen, and the two others Bretons. They pro- 
posed that we should pass the Loire, but we re- 
fused, on account of the great risk, as well as un- 
certainty respecting the state of things on the other 
side. The Vendeen, after a thousand perils, how- 
ever, succeeded in joining the army of M. de 
Charrette. 

M. Destouehes, a former naval commander, who 
had followed the army, was concealed near us, a 



313 

respectable old man of ninety ; he became danger- 
ously ill. M. I'Abbe Jagault soothed his last mo- 
ments, by procuring a priest, who administered 
the sacrament to him. He had a very faithful do- 
mestic, with whom he left a good deal of money ; 
a hundred louis d^ors were to be remitted to his 
son, who had emigrated. The servant did not 
know what to do with this trust ; and as he wished 
to repass the Loire we offered to take the hundred 
louis, and to be answerable that the younger M. 
Destouches should receive them. We wrote a re- 
ceipt on a sheet of lead, which was buried before 
witnesses. The servant succeeded in joining M. 
Charrette's army, where he was killed, a year af- 
terwards. I have had the pleasure of seeing M. 
Destouches since, and discharging the trust. 

M. Jagault was always in ill health, and as it 
was more difficult to conceal men than women, he 
was often obliged to sleep out. His peasant's 
clothes scarcely disguising him, he feared he should 
be known, and cause our ruin. He therefore de- 
termined to get into Nantes, where he was inform- 
ed he might be concealed, notwithstanding the 
dreadful situation of things there. Ten baggage- 
wagons were about to be sent from Prinquiaux 
to Nantes ; he had the courage to go without a 
passport in one of the wagons as a driver. He 
entered the town, but had great difficulty in find- 
ing an asylum ; at last, however, Madame Dela- 
viile-Guevray found one for him, in which he es- 
caped all searches. 

Rr 



3it 

We continued to inhabit Prinquiaux, without 
any change in our mode of life. Disheartened by 
illness and grief, my faculties appeared benumbed;, 
but ray mother watching over me with unremitting 
vigilance and tenderness, averted, by her care and 
prudence, the dangers I was incapable of avoiding ; 
her courage and strength of mind saved my life 
twenty times. 

We were usually at tbe house of an attorney of 
the commune. Sometimes we changed our hiding- 
place, from the frequent alarms the searches of the 
republicans threw us into. These made us very 
miserable. We neither dared undress ourselves 
to go to bed, or even sit down to our scanty meals. 
The provisions upon which we subsisted were 
mostly salt-meat, varied, at times, with eggs, but- 
ter, and vegetables, procured from a neighbouring 
gardener, who believed us so poor, tbat he not 
only refused to be paid, but once offered to give 
my mother a crown. A charitable priest also wish- 
ed her to take twelve francs, so apparent was our 
distress. The profound dejection, a sort of de- 
cline, in which I sunk, made me fall asleep conti- 
nually j but my mother was awake for us both* 
Two days never passed without there being some 
alarm, and then we concealed ourselves in the 
fields, or in barns, till the Blues were out of 
sight. 

Our good attorney fell ill, and died whilst we 
were with him; but he did not forget to recom- 
mend us to his children. At this time, I felt so 
anxious to learn the fate of my daughter, that I 



315 

persuaded Laurent Cochard, the host of Mademoi- 
selle Marnet, to go and inquire about her at An- 
cenis, where I had left her. By him I learned, 
that my poor child had died six days after our 
departure, notwithstanding all the cares of the good 
people to whom T had confided her. At this intel- 
ligence I was completely overcome, though very 
far from setting any value on life. 

M. de Marigny had taken under his protection 
a very young girl, the daughter of Madame de 
Rechij;ne-voisin, who died during the march be- 
yond the Loire. He adopted this orphan, and never 
quitted her. During the night, he used to wrap 
her up in his cloak, and made her sleep on a gun- 
carriage. After the defeat of Savenay, M. de 
Marigny went to a man in the parish of Donges, 
and gave her in charge to him, with some money, 
telling him, that if any misfortune happened to her, 
he would return and kill him. This man was a 
republican, and had a son among the Blues. Either 
from fear of M. de Marigny, or rather from hu- 
manity, he took so much care of her, that the son, 
arriving at the house shortly after, with a detach- 
ment of his comrades, the father took him by the 
hand, saying, "Thy sister is ill, and asleep." 
The son understood there was some mystery, and 
she escaped. After this, the man would not let 
her stay, but sent her to Prinquiaux, telling her 
to knock at any door she chose, for the whole pa- 
rish was filled with Aristocrats. Slic took the 
name of Rosette, and employed herself in tending 
sheep. When we came, she found us out ; but we 



316 

avoided lier, for her age and her courage made her 
very imprudent. 

M. de Marigny kept his word ; he came to the 
citizen of Donges, and inquired for his ward. 
When he heard she was at Prinquiaux, he follow- 
ed her; and we had the consolation of seeing him, 
and of conversing with him for two hours. Al- 
though he was very remarkable from great size 
and appearance, and well known in the country, 
yet he would not quit the environs of Nantes, but 
went every where boldly. He spoke the dialect of 
all the villages. One day when he came to Prin- 
quiaux, he was disguised like a poulterer, (for he 
often took the clothes and tools of different trades.) 
His courage, coolness, and great strength, extri- 
cated him from all dangers ; and he often entered 
Nantes, Savenay, Pont- Chateau, and Donges. He 
had prepared every thing to cause a revolt among 
the peasants, and knew exactly the strength of the 
republican posts. We did not try to dissuade him; 
for the only chance of salvation was in a desperate 
attempt. Nothing could now add to the calamities 
of the Vendeens. M. de Marigny could give us 
no information about the fate of my father. We 
collected from him some details of the noyades of 
Nantes, where those who surrendered themselves 
on the faith of amnesty, and those who were taken, 
were alike put to death. Our faithful Bontemps, 
and Herlobig, another of our servants, had been 
drowned, tied together ; but, at the moment they 
were throwing them in, they clung to two of the re- 
publican soldiers, and drew them after. 



317 

The enterprise of M. de Marigny completelyS, 
failed. He wished to surprise Saveiiay during the 
night, and six hundred peasants of Britanny came 
to the rendezvous ; but, by a mistake, they dispers- 
ed again. The Bretons could not easily be induc- 
ed to undertake a war like the one in which we had 
been engaged. They are capable of strong attach- 
ments, and of a determined courage ; but they have 
too little ardour and decision. They live more 
asunder than the Poitevins, and are much less obe- 
dient to their chiefs. They are wilful, more inte- 
rested, and less active, than the Vendeens. They 
cannot bear the idea of their houses being plunder- 
ed or burnt. Thence the different character of the 
wars of Britanny from that which marked the insur- 
rection of Poitou. 

M. de Marigny's attempt gave much greater ac- 
tivity to the searches of the republicans, particular- 
ly those at Prinquiaux, where the mayor had been 
among the most ardent in preaching revolt. It was 
now necessary for us to quit this parish. We re- 
moved to that of Pont- Chateau, in the hamlet de la 
Minaye, at the house of Julien Riallo. There we 
found Rosette, who had been also obliged to take 
shelter with him. We were lying in the barn, when 
we heard the dogs beginning to bark violently. Ju- 
lien half opened the door, and saw the Blues pass- 
ing through the village to visit a house which had 
been denounced. He called us, and said he thought 
we had better try and save ourselves, for the num- 
ber would certainly create suspicion. We left the 
place with Rosette, and were conducted by him 



318 

into a little wood of tbe Chateau de Besnet. When 
we got there, my mother told Rosette it would be 
necessary for us to separate ; and that if she would 
remain at la Minaye^ we would return to Prin- 
quiaux. She preferred going there; Julien con- 
ducted her, and we remained in the wood. I 
placed my head on my mother's knees, and fell 
asleep as usual. 

The Blues spent the night in searching the vil- 
lage, where.they found three Vendeens; one among 
them was a wounded German, who had deserted, 
and who turned informer. I had always wished 
to go and dress his wound, but my mother prevent- 
ed me, fearing he might betray us. This was only 
one of a thousand other instances when my mother, 
by her wisdom, saved ray life. She was thinking 
continnally of my safety at a time when 1 was in- 
capable of any exertion. W hen day-light came^ 
the soldiers had not yet left La Minaye, enraged 
that a priest had escaped them. Our hiding-place 
was not two hundred steps from the hamlet; the 
leaves were all off^ and the wood was not thick. 
Julien came in search of us. My mother said;, 
" This place is too dangerous, do conduct us far- 
ther.'' He would not, alleging that he had six 
children, who depended on him for support. 
" Well, then, my daughter," said she, turning to 
me, " let us trust in Grod.'' She gathered some 
wild Jonquils, and put them in my bosom. "This 
shall be," continued she, " a holiday ; Providence 
will protect us." The impression these jonquils 
then made on me will never be effaced, and at this 



319 

distance of time, when I see the flower, my blood 
thrills through my veins. We felt encouraged, 
and proceeded across the fields, over hedges and 
ditches, always trying to avoid frequented places. 
We often heard the Blues, and the report of their 
muskets, and saw them search the wood that we 
had left. We felt so much exhausted, that we 
were obliged to stop in a field filled with rushes, 
where we rested ourselves back to back to support 
each other. In this attitude we remained several 
hours, without knowing what to do next, and pe- 
rishing with hunger and cold. At last Marianne 
appeared. She had learnt what was passing:, and 
had run to Minaye, and after speaking to Julien, 
had traced us in the fields. She took us to her 
house, which was at a considerable distance. 
When I got there, I threw myself on a bed, and 
fell asleep, at the very moment two hundred volun- 
teers arrived in the village. My mother had only 
time to cry out to Marianjie, " Save my daughter ; 
say she is yours !" and went out into the garden 
in the certainty of being taken. Fortunately the 
Blues did not think of searching. They walked 
about, drank milk, and all this passed without my 
awaking. Some days after, M. de Marigny came 
to bid us adieu; for, upon finding he could not 
raise the country, he had determined to cross the 
Loire. 

Our dangers increased daily. The German who 
liad been taken at Minaye had, to save his own 
life, denounced all tiie refugees, with whose re- 
treat he was acquainted, but luckily was ignorant 



3§0 

of ours. He had said that M. de Marigny's daugh° 
ter was concealed at Prinqiiiaux, and great search 
was made for her ; but Rosette was so little and so 
bold, that the Blues, even when they met her, ne- 
ver suspected her. One day they were going to 
kill her dog, and she put herself between them and 
him, and defended him. She took, however, some 
days after, the resolution of crossing the Loire with 
some refugees, who had agreed to make this periU 
bus attempt. They consisted of M. d^Argens, phy- 
sician to M. de Charrette, his wife, daughters, and 
three soldiers. I anxiously wished to accompany 
them, but my mother would not consent, as I was 
too weak and ill to bear so much fatigue. They 
passed the Loire, but on arriving on the other side, 
the soldiers of M. de Charrette took them for spies, 
and shot the three peasants. They spared M. 
d'Argens on account of his age, and from the tears 
and supplications of his family, and conducted them 
to M. de Charrette. This kind of mistake was one 
among the number of dangers to which the Ven- 
deens were exposed. It was believed to be in this 
way, the two young MM. Duchaffault, who were 
so distinguished in our army, had perished. 

Meanwhile I advanced in my pregnancy, and 
we were a little more tranquil. The Blues had 
placed garrisons in all the parishes, as a measure 
of greater security, but it was, on the contrary, a 
happy change for us. The soldiers remained in 
their lodgings, without supposing that any one 
could be concealed near them. Besides, being thus 
dispersed, and established in the houses, they were 



331 

less turbulent and ferocious, and were reconciled 
by the Bretons drinking with them. Pierre Riailo, 
secretary of the commune, and brother of Jalien, 
was in particular their best friend. He went regu- 
larly every day to dine with the Blues, leJ them to 
talk, and discovered all their plans, without ever 
allowing any thing, even when intoxicatedj to 
escape from him. He and the rest of the munici- 
pality served them as guides in their patroles, and 
took care always to lead them to a distance from 
the refugees. 

" Notwithstanding this slight amelioration of our 
condition, my mother, for the sake of still greater 
safety, formed h very singular scheme. 

Two female Vendeens having married Bretons, 
and remained ever since undisturbed, my mother, 
anxious to secure for me perfect repose during my 
confinement, conceived the plan of my becoming 
the supposed wife of Pierre Riallo, who was aa 
old man and a widower, with five children. A 
counterfeit certificate of ray birth was procured. 
The municipal ofiieer had promised to cancel the 
leaf of the supposed marriage, whenever required. 
The Blues were to have been invited to the wed- 
ding, but greater alarms than we had yet expe- 
rienced suspended the execution of this scheme ; 
for we were informed that we had been denounced, 
and search made for us. We immediately changed 
our dwelling, and separated ; my mother going to 
the house of Laurent Cochard, with Mademoiselle 
Alamet; and I was carried to Cyprieu's, a cart- 
wright in the hamlet of Bois-Divet. The next day 

S s 



as I was lying down^ a patriot of Donges knocked, 
at the door, and Cyprien desired me to go out by 
the garden ; but not rising quickly enough, the pa- 
triot entered. I remained immoveable, crouching 
at the foot of the bed, behind the half-opened cur- 
tain, bedewed with a cold sweat, and scarce daring 
to breathe for half an hour. My sufferings were 
agonising, for I feared that Cyprien, not suspect- 
ing I was there, might prolong the conversation. 
Two days after, my mother rejoined me. 

The 19th April, we heard the Blues were going 
to search Bois-Divet. Cyprien carried us directly 
to his father's- in- law Gouret, who lived in the ham- 
let of Bourneliere, a municipal officer. I was hard- 
ly able to walk to Grouret's, being near my time; 
yet on our arrival, he told us that there would cer- 
tainly be a search during the night through the 
whole parish, and advised us to go to Laurent 
Coehard's, which was a league farther off. This 
was to me impossible! and we therefore determin- 
ed to pass the night out of doors. Gouret, after 
conducting us into a field of wheat, shed tears on 
leaving us. We sat down in a furrow, and though 
it rained, I slept ! My mother awaking about one 
in the morning, heard the patrole of the Blues pass 
within fifty paces of us. Had there been a dog with 
them, as was sometimes the case, we should have 
been lost! At two o'clock, Gouret came to take us 
back to his house. I then began to feel considera- 
ble pains, but imagining I was not so near my time, 
and dreading a discovery through the midwife, I 
took no measures for my safety; although there 



333 

was nobody in the hamlet who could assist me, 
and Gouret had only two young girls in his family. 
At nine, however, my pains became so violent there 
was no longer any doubt. My mother ran out of 
the house, calling " Help, help !" and fell sense- 
less in the field. Gouret's daughters remained be- 
side me, crying, but not knowing what to do. As 
for myself, I endured my sufferings with calmness 
and resignation. Life was to me a burthen, and I 
wished to die ! At length I was bn*ught to bed of a 
daughter, and in a few moments after of another. 
A married woman, whom they had sent for from a 
neighbouring village, arrived at this time, and took 
care of me and the children. As I had made no 
preparations, they were obliged to take old clothes 
and rags to cover them. 1 wished to nurse them. 
My mother, however, convinced me it would be 
impracticable. But where were we to get nurses ! 
We consulted with an oldwoman of Bois-Divet, and 
the infants were carried to two or three women, but 
they refused to take them. At last a cousin of 
Marianne's, named Marie Mcenard, took charge of 
them ; and three days after, a priest came, and 
baptised them by the names of Josephine and Louise. 
We had four witnesses present, who wrote their 
testimony of the baptism on pewter plates with a 
nail, and then buried them in the earth. I was 
happy in getting this accomplished, as it secured 
some trace of the existence and name of these un- 
fortunate infants. My recovery was rapid, for 
owing to my having led the active life of a peasant, 
I was hardly worse than those poor people are oa 
similar occasions. 



3S* 

We passed a month very quietly. The cottage 
we lived in was thought deserted, and the Blues 
did not come near it. Some days after, my little 
Josephine's wrist was observed out of joint. This 
gave me much distress, and I resolved, that, as 
soon as she was a little older, I would carry her 
on my back, begging along the road as far as Ba- 
reges. This scheme did not appear, at the time I 
formed it, at all extraordinary, I had neither hope 
nor fear for the future. I was become a stranger in 
the world; proscribed and wretched. My mind 
was too much sunk to imagine my present situation 
could ever change ! 

But my poor infant died twelve days after. Ac- 
cording to the ordinary manners of the peasants, I 
was told this without any preparation. One of 
Gouret's daughters came into my room, and cried, 
<^ Your daughter at Bois-Divet is dead." " She is 
then happier than me!" I answered, and yet I 
wept! 



3S5 



CHAPTER XXI. 

Abode at the Chateau of JDreneuf. 

During my confinement, my mother received 
an anonymous letter, expressing a great desire to 
serve us, and ojffering us a better asylum. She 
hoped that this letter came from some friends, who 
wished to discover us, and perhaps from those who 
had given shelter to my father. She answered it 
with grateful acknowledgments. In a second let- 
ter, they offered a visit, which my mother accepted, 
and on the 10th of May a young lady named Feli- 
cite des Ressources, came to our cottage. She was 
the fifth daughter of an old inhabitant of Guinrouet, 
five leagues from Prinquiaux, and of a family 
which, though decayed, was very respectable. Fe- 
licite had taken a deep interest in the Vendeen^^^ 
and was unceasingly employed in relieving their 
distresses, though almost always unknown to her 
family, who were extremely timid. She had heard 
us spoken of by some of the brigands whom she 
had assisted, and had anxiously endeavoured to 
find out our retreat, but regard for our safety had 
made great prudence and deliberation necessary. 
She succeeded at length by means of an old wo- 



3S6 

man, by whom she sent her letters, and who guid- 
ed her to our cottage. She offered us an asylum 
with Mademoiselle Dumoustiers, a friend of hers, 
whom she praised highly, and assured us of her 
faithful friendship and protection. The interesting 
appearance of goodness and sincerity in Mademoi- 
selle des Ressources made us rely on every thing 
she said ; and as we were aware that we were now 
becoming too well known in Prinquiaux, and also 
felt painfully the total ignorance our situation there 
kept us in of all that was passing at a distance, 
we should have accepted her offers, but our good 
hosts were very unwilling to let us go. They told 
my mother there were an hundred and fifty Blues 
in garrison at Guinrouet, and that the oflBcers lodg- 
ed in the house of M. des Ressources, who would 
certainly deliver lis up. Felicite guessed what they 
were saying to my mother, and began to weep. 
She allowed the officers lodged with her father, but 
assured us she had taken measures to prevent 
our safety being endangered by this circumstance. 
Her tears, and the encouraging expression of her 
countenance, decided us. She had also known our 
retreat too long to leave a doubt of her sincerity. 
Mademoiselle Dumoustiers had a very respectable 
character in the country, and the old woman of 
Cambon we believed incapable of treachery. 

The municipality of Prinquiaux gave us pass- 
ports under the names of Jeanne and Marie Jagu ; 
we were furnished with certificates of our birth 
from Roche-Bernard ; and Ferret promised to 
claim us as his relations, should we be arrested. I 



327 

went to take leave of my child, and we then set 
out upon our journey ; Mademoiselle des Res- 
sources on horseback, my mother and I dressed as 
peasants upon another horse, without a saddle ; the 
old woman of Cambon was on foot, and Pierre 
Riallo led the way. We had travelled a league 
undisturbed, when, on approaching a village in the 
parish of Cambon, we perceived ten Blues in a 
hollow way, but we proceeded, and they stood 
aside to let us pass. Mademoiselle des Ressources 
raised her veil, Riallo saluted the soldiers, and my 
mother did the same to two women who were upon 
the road, and the Blues seemed to have no suspi- 
cion of us. Scarcely had we escaped this danger, 
when a little boy, nephew to the old woman, pass- 
ed close to us, and said the Blues were making a 
search in the village we were going immediately to 
pass through. Felicite turned and cast an anxious 
look upon my mother. ^' We must go on," said 
my mother. " If we turn back, we are lost !" Had 
we indeed turned, the other soldiers would then 
have perceived clearly that we were fugitives ; but 
we sent back Riallo, whom it was useless to ex- 
pose, particularly as our passports were signed by 
him. This excellent man wept when we parted^ 
and taking from his finger a silver ring, such as the 
Breton peasants wear, gave it to me, and I have 
worn it ever since. 

As we advanced, Felicite sung, to give us ease 
and confidence. A centinel was at the entrance of 
the village, to whom she said, " This is fine wea- 
ther for a search." " Yes," answered the man, 



S2S 

and we entered tbe village. The Blues were dis^ 
persed everywhere, but we passed through without 
any disaster. A mile from Guinrouet, we saw a re- 
publican officer, who came to meet Felicite, with 
whom he was in love. She had prepared us for 
this meeting, yet it gave me great uneasiness, and 
I grew pale with terror, though Felicite did every 
thing in her power to reassure me. On meeting him 
we dismounted. " Well, Madam," said this offi- 
cer, ^^ you see I am without arms, as you order me 
not even to wear my sword when I walk with you. 
I shall some day be assassinated by the brigands, 
but that will be indifferent to you !'' " You know 
very well," answered she, ^'^ that the brigands are 
my friends, and 1 shall save you." ^* I am much 
afraid," continued he, ^' that I am at this moment 
with four of them !" '^ No," answered she, ^^ but 
with four aristocrats." He was, however, too much 
engrossed by his passion to inquire further. 

Felicite seeing me fatigued, said rattier impru- 
dently, "Maria, take the arm of the citizen,^' 
Since I had been in concealment, I had endeavour- 
ed to lessen the whitenesss of my hands, lest it 
might betray me. I rubbed them with earth, and to 
accomplish it more thoroughly, I had some days 
before stained them, but in so odd a manner, as to 
attract more attention than their natural colour; 
therefore I declined taking his arm, but thanked 
him in Patois. He looked pointedly at me, but 
said nothing. A moment after he took the bridle of 
my mother's horse, fixed his eye upon her, and re- 
turning to F61icite, remarked only, " that it was a 



3S9 

sorry horse.'' It is probable that he suspected 
we were not peasants, but though a violent repub- 
lican, he durst say nothing on account of Felicite. 
We parted from her, and the old woman led us to 
the house of a peasant, who expected us at Guin- 
rouet. Four dragoons came the same evening to 
lodge in his house. My mother, believing herself 
perfectly disguised, had the temerity to propose 
supping with them ; but I having less confidence, 
declined it, and we were put into a cham her sepa- 
rate from them by a thin partition without a door. 
Being told we were two cousins of the family, the 
dragoons asked if we were pretty, and shewed a 
great desire to see us, but were answered, that we 
were fatigued and sick, and that they should see 
us at breakfast ; and, being plied with wine, they 
thought of us no more. 

The next day Felicite, with one of her sisters, 
brought us some of their own clothes ; but, being 
either too long or too short, they made us look 
very ridiculous. To avoid the dragoons, we left 
the house while they were dressing their horses ; 
and as, upon account of her family, Felicite could 
not accompany us to Madame Dumoustier's, her 
sister conducted us. We had a little horse be- 
tween us three. 

Madame Dumoustiers lived three leagues from 
Guinrouet, at the Chateau of Drenuef, of which 
she had the care, and received us with open arms. 
She was about forty, mild and delicate, but con- 
cealins;, under an appearance of weakness, a strong 
and warm character. Her opinions; or rather her 

Tt 



^30 



affection for our cause, united to great natural hu- 
Eiatiitj, had devoted her to the Vtndeens with a 
zeal and courage that knew no bounds. She was 
perfectly disinterested, althougli poor, and sup- 
porting her family on the small farm of Bre- 
neuf. The chateau was wretched and inconve- 
nient, but it was surrounded by fine avenues and 
masnificeut woods. Madame Dumoustiers had 
three sons, eager to join some insurgent corps, and 
fisht with honour for the cause. She had besides 
a daughter of fifteen, perfectly beautiful, and who 
is now Madame Cone. We found several per- 
sons concealed at Dreneuf, a priest, a Yendeen 
child, and three soldiers, besides many hid in the 
woods, and to whom the children of Madame Du- 
moustiers were continually employed in carrying 
food and necessaries. The beautiful Marie- 
Louise, particularly, displayed an astonishing 
courage in this charitable em[»loyment. 

Madame Dunumstiers told us that the curate of 
St. Laud had for some time been concealed in her 
house, after a miraculous escape he had by turn- 
ing round a rock at the same moment with a Blue. 
She said lie intended to raise the Bretons, and had 
even composed, for this purpose, an energetic and 
impressive discourse, which she preserved. But 
finding there was no chance of success, he had 
crossed the Loire with the brave MM. Cadi. Ma- 
dame Dumoustiers saw that we were ignorant of 
all public news, and she concealed many that 
would have been dreadful to us. She did not 
even allow us to read any newspapers ; we there- 



331 

fore knew nothing of the hoiTors that reigned 
throughout all France, and imagined that they had 
only taken place in Brittany and Poitou, from the 
civil war. 

Dreneuf is situated in the parish of Feygreae, 
whii-h' is very extensive, and contains three thou-* 
sand souls ; yet among so many people, there was 
not a single individual of whom there could be any 
distrust; — a very striking proof » f this had been 
furnished some time befote our arrival. 

A search had been ordered in ail the parishes, 
and that no rebel might escape, the soldiers were 
ordered to arrest indiscriminately all the men, and 
shut them up in a church. Happily there was 
time to give the Vendeeus notice ; they all fled, 
except the old ^I. Desessarts, who was discovered 
and s( ized when at his prayers. I know not by 
what accident M. Dumagny was also arrested, but 
not examiaed. and carried to the church. When 
all the inhabitants were assembled, the commander 
of the Blues ordered the parish register to be 
brought, and the names called over. M. Dumagny 
believed himself lost, and endeavoured to get out ; 
but Joseph, the eldest son of Madame Dumoustier!^, 
deiained him, and as soon as the name of an absent 
inhabitant was called out, he pushed M. Dumag- 
ny forward, saying. ^* Are you deaf? don't you 
hear they call y<»u?" The general perceiving he 
looked disconcerted, asked the municipality, antl 
all the assembly, " Is this really the same man 
whose name is inscribed ?" *' Yes," was the im- 
mediate and universal answer. The slightest 



33S 

symptom of doubt in atiy of the peasaiits, would 
have been fatal to M. Dumagny. M. Desessarts 
was shot He was the only refugee who suffered 
at Feygreac, although about four hundred of them 
were hid in the parish. The unanimity was so 
perfect among those good people, that their vicar 
had never left them, nor did a day pass without his 
celebrating mass, sometimes in one place, some- 
times in another. And resigned as he was to mar- 
tyrdom, to which he daily exposed himself, he 
never met with any accident. 

The very amiable Madame Dumoustiers tried 
every means to console us, or occupy our thoughts ; 
and the visits of the Blues disturbed us less ; tb© 
moment they were seen approaching, her children 
went to meet and converse with them, gave them 
drink, and the house was scarcely searched. We 
had resumed our peasant dress. 

Mademoiselles Carria and Mamet, who now re- 
joined us, had been exposed to great dangers since 
our separation. The patriots of Savenay bad at last 
found out that I had lain in at Prinquiaux, and the 
search for us had been redoubled. These two 
young women being mistaken for us, had been oblig- 
ed to pass five nights successively in the woods. 

In the course of July a newspaper escaped the 
watchfulness of Mademoiselle Dumoustiers, and 
fell into the hands of my mother. In it she read 
the account of seventy persons being executed in 
P is, many of whom were of our acquaintance. 
What grief and astonishment we felt on learning 
that all France, as well as our provinces, were thus 



333 

delivered up to the most horrid and bloody anar- 
chy ! Some days after we heard that the death of 
Robespierre had put an end to these executions in 
Paris, but our own proscription continued ; and at 
this very time we were exposed to the greatest dan- 
ger. One day I went with Madame Duraoustiers, 
her little cousin, and a young religieuse, a refugee, 
to gather plums in the garden of the chateau of La 
Chapelle, when a y^Hing man, disguised as a pea- 
sant, accosted these two ladies. Marie-Louise said 
to me aside, it was an inhabitant of Blain, named 
M. Barbaud, and who had taken a part in the in- 
surrection at Nantes, which began at the same time 
with ours, and subsided a short time after ; he had 
lived in concealment since that time. Pretending 
to be a servant, 1 left him to converse with the la- 
dies, and went with the c)iild to gather plums. Five 
days after, this unfortunate young man was seized 
while concealed under bis mother's bed, and mas- 
sacred before her eyes ! In searching his pockets 
they found a letter from his sister, in which she 
said, '^ the person whom you saw at the chateau of 
La Chapelle with Mademoiselle Dumoustiers and 
St. Xavier's sister, and whom you took for a pea- 
sant, is Vladarae de Lescure. Shs is fair, about 
twenty-one years old, and she and her mother are 
concealed in the parish of Feygreac." I have ne- 
ver been able to learn how Mademoiselle Barbaud 
had become acquainted with all these particulars 5 
but I suppose she must have got them from a pea- 
sant of Feygreac, who, having served under Bon- 
champ; recognised me, and this peasant had been 



S34 

arrested and put in prison at Blain. In conse- 
quence of this letter, three hundred men were sent 
to surround La Chapelle and Dreneuf. Most for- 
tunately, we were ignorant of all these circumstan- 
ces, or terror and perplexity would have betrayed 
us. We imagined it was an ordinary visit, with- 
out any particular object. I was in bed with my 
mother, Madame Dumoustiers with her daughter; 
and Mademoiselle des Ressources, who had come 
to visit us, was also in my chamber. Ou heariug 
that the Blues were surrounding the house, my mo- 
ther got up, and putting ou her peasant's dress, be- 
gan to assist in dressing Marie-Louise; and Fell- 
cite came and lay down beside me, while Madame 
Dumoustiers weut and opened the door. The Blues 
demanded the number and quality of the persons 
who were in the house. Madame Dumoustiers 
named her chiidreu, two nieces, and three servants. 
She also fouiul an office for the two deserters and 
the little Vendeeii, and told every thing with sim- 
plicity and composure. The soldiers came into my 
room, and Felicite complained of tiieir iiaviug awa- 
kened her, while Marie-Louise scolded my mother 
for her awkwardness. They suspected nothing, 
but went off swearing, *• there are plenty of women 
in this house !'' They left our apartment, and we 
began to breathe again; but Felicite, who held my 
hand in hers, found I was trembling. We rose, and 
they dressed me as a niece of the family. The 
Blues remained four hours searching through all 
the chateau and in the woods. They sought for 
false doors, irap-stairs^ and subterranean passages^ 



385 

They also searched at La Cliapelle; and were so 
enraged at fiudiug nobody, tiiat they carried to 
Blain all the municipalily of Feygrcac, and the 
o\erseer of La Chapelle, who was a member of it. 
The next day this overseer was released, and came 
instantly to Dreneuf ; the first peison he met being 
my molher, his surprise almost wholly overpower- 
ed him. He told us the search of the preceding even- 
ing had been entirely foi us^ and that at Blain he 
and the municipality had undergone an examina- 
tion of foul- hours, respecting our retreat. These 
good [)et>ple had supposed us to be refugees, tiiough 
they did not know our names. The questions put 
to thi'm, led them to conclude who we were, but' 
this did not lessen their courage or discretion. 
Neither bribes nor threats could extort confession 
from them. They did not doubt that we should 
be taken, which would have proved ttieirown de- 
struction, as they had exchanged our passports of 
Prinquiaux. They were put in prison, where they 
expected us every moment, and watched at the 
grates, for some one who could warn lis of. our dan- 
ger. At the end uf twenty-four hours they were 
released, and we restored to them our passports, 
which now, in the event of our being arrested, 
would have been the sentence of their death. 

Our alarm was extreme, wiien we saw the dan- 
ger we had escaped ; and we withdrew to tlje liani- 
let of Rochelle, upon the Vilaine, but returned in 
two days, when the measures became less strict, 
and we were supposed to iiave been frightened 
away. 



336 

Notwithstanding this, my mother and I having 
been denounced as being together, we deemed it 
prudent, that in case of another nocturnal visit, we 
should not be found in the same house; and f^ 
therefore, went to sleep in a small neighbouring 
farm, and every morning leading a cow, I went to 
Dreneuf, where, getting in by a window, I remain- 
ed till evening. 

We saw frequently at this time a M. de la Bre- 
joliere of Nantes, a very worthy old man,, a con- 
cealed outlaw. He attempted to disguise himself 
as a peasant, but wore under his outer garb fine 
linen, ruffles, a watch, and perfumes. He made 
tolerably pretty verses, to which he attached so 
much importance, that one day while he was re- 
pEating a poetic epistle to my mother, notice being 
given that the Blues were coming, poor M. de la 
Brejoliere could not decide whether to fly or finish 
his epistle, and at last withdrew still reciting Ms 
verses. ^ 

It was now near the beginning of October, and 
our fears were lessening daily, as every thing was 
gradually calming around us. Meanwhile w« 
knew nothing of what was passing elsewhere, and 
we neither formed projects nor hopes. 

Famine prevailed at Nantes ; and I know not 
from what motive or folly, the whole attention of 
the Blues seemed to prevent the admission of grain 
into the towns. The second regiment of chasseurs, 
which had been the regiment of Lescure, was em- 
ployed in this office. The eldest son of Madame 
Dumoustiers had been obliged to enter it, and he 



337 

frequently broaght his brother soldiers with him to 
Dreneuf, where I often heard them discuss what had 
become of the daughter-in-law of their old colonel. 
Some of them said I had been cut to pieces, others 
that I had been drowned, &c. ; but all agreed in 
my being dead, which gave me great comfort. 

My mother at length ventured to write to Bouf- 
deaux, and received a reply, by which she learnt 
that my uncle de Courcy and bis wife were still 
living, and resided at Citran. The letter, how- 
ever, was written in such ambiguous terms, that it 
left us in great uncertainty, yet a beginning of com- 
munication was a pleasing circumstance. Soon 
after we heard of an amnesty being granted to the 
Yendeens ; but it was declared at iirst to extend 
only to the common soldiers. But the hopes these 
reports might create were soon damped, when W6 
heard that a man, who had been inquiring for us 
in the country, had been seized, loaded with irons, 
and thrown into a dungeon at Blain. All our 
fears were again renewed, and we retired for eight 
days to a remote farm in the parish of Avessac, but 
returned afterwards to Dreneuf. We imagined 
that this man had been sent by my father to seek 
ys; but Madame Dumoustiers acknowledged to me 
the sad truth, that he had been shot at Angers. I 
concealed this dreadful intelligence from my mo- 
ther, and she only knew it positively three years 
after. All that time she remained in doubt, or 
rather the most cruel silence, which no one dared 
to break. As vigorous measures abated every 
where, Madame Dumoustiers succeeded in procur« 

Ua 



Ing a situation for Mademoiselles Carria and Ma- 
met at Nantes. They sent us notice, a short time 
after, that Agatha and many Vendeens were still 
in prison ; but that Gottet, one of our people, had 
been released, and that it was him who had in- 
quirt^d for us. They added^ that he had been new- 
ly arrested at Blain, and brought back to Nantes, 
owiog to a letter having been found upon him, 
which directed him to a person who could aid him 
in discovering us. 

Intelligence arrived daily, that the persecutions 
were at an end. The prisons were opened, and a 
general amnesty was proclaimed. M. de la Bre- 
joliere immediately availed himself of it, and many 
Vendeens followed his example, and even my mo- 
ther spoke of doing the same. My feelings revolt- 
ed at the idea, for besides not thinking the amnes- 
ty to be trusted, I could not bear to owe any thing 
to the republicans. I only wished to pass the 
Loire, and rejoin the army, since there was still 
one in existence. The widow of M. de Lescure, I 
thought, ought to have no weakness, and that there 
would be a baseness in abandoning a single rem- 
nant of La Vendee. 

My ^^other represented to me that these exalted 
sentiments were unreasonable : That women, par- 
ticularly such cowards as I was, could not do bet- 
ter than submit to unavoidable evils. I shed tears 
of indignation. It was just at this moment that 
M. Dumoustiers had resolved to put in execution 
the scheme he had long projected of joining the 
Insurgents. While his regiment Jiad been only 



839 

quartered in the canton, he submitted, but the mo= 
meat they were ordered to leave it, he determined 
to desert, and, with a companion of his named 
Toupil Lavalette, who had the same sentiments, 
came to bid us adieu* Madame Dumoustiers, who 
had the utmost fortitude, bestowed upon her son 
her entire approbation. I suffered severely at this 
moment ! I was humiliated to see this family so 
devoted ; and who, after having saved us, embraced 
our cause, whilst we were on the brink of aban- 
doning it ! To see that young man going with ar- 
dour to meet death, when there were even no long- 
er any hopes of success ! — this opposition of their 
sacrifice and our desertion drew from me the bit- 
terest tears. 

I gave these gentlemen letters for MM. de La- 
rochejaquelein and Marigny, whom I believed were 
still alive, notwithstanding the rumours of their 
death. M. Dumoustiers and his companion joined 
about sixty Vendeens, and deserters, and crossed 
the Loire with guides whom M. de Charrette had 
sent to the right bank. They were very well re= 
ceived, and M. de Charrette immediately gave 
them the rank of officers. 



/V 



\ 



340 



CHAPTER XXII. 



The Amnesty, — Details of the Vendeen Fugi- 
tives. 



My mother continued to urge the amnesty. 
Madame Dumoustiers sent for the Mayor of Re- 
don, who was one of her friends, to learn every 
particular concerning it. He confirmed all we had 
heard of the mild measures which had been adopt- 
ed towards the Veiidecns ; but I still could not be 
persuaded; and wished to go to Nantes to see the 
actual state of things. I was ill of a milk fever^ but 
nothing could detain me. My spirits were too much 
elevated and agitated by being on the pohit of tak- 
ing a desperate resolution, which I vainly opposed, 
although commanded by necessity. I mounted on 
horseback, took a guide, travelled twelve leagues 
without stopping, and entered Nantes dressed as a 
peasant, with a wallet on my shoulders, and some 
fowls in my hand. I went to the house of Madame 
Dumoustiers' friend,^ where I found Mesdemoi- 
selles Carria and Agatha, who had been released 
from prison ; but Madame de Bonchamp was still 
confined, and I went to see her. The prisons were 
almost empty, and M. de Bonchamp was soon to 
be at liberty. She advised me to take advantage of 



the amnesty, and apply to M. Haudaudine, one of 
the prisoners spared at St. Florent, and who had 
become a great protector of the Vendeens. I was 
informed that M. de Charrette was treating for 
peace ; and that there was, in reality, nothing hu- 
miliating in the relations established between the 
republicans and the insurgents. The Veudeen offi- 
cers came with their arms and white cockades to 
Nantes ; many were so imprudent as- to deride pub- 
licly the republican habits and opinions, and even 
spit upon the tri-coloured cockade^ and gave other 
rash provocations. M. de Charrette, who was de- 
sirous of peace, disa})proved highly of such beha- 
viour. The representatives who had come to treat 
at Nantes, were but slightly offended by these pro- 
ceedings, and only expressed their apprehensions 
that such conduct might retard the pacification. Be- 
ing, on a particular occasion, somewhat out of pa- 
tience, at the tone of the intrepid M. Duperat, 
whom M. de Charrette had sent to them, they said, 
<< It is surely very strange that you should be so 
unwilling to treat with the republic, when all the 
kings of Europe negotiate with her !" " Ax'e they 
Frenchmen ?" replied M. Duperat. 

Nothing could exceed the attention shewn to 
the Vendeens liberated from prison, or applying 
for the amnesty ; and it was even forbid, on pain 
of three days imprisonment, to call them Brigands. 
In the quaint language of the day, the representa- 
tives ordered that we should be called Freres 
egares.* 

* Misled brethren. 



B42 

After this, I determined, though reluctantly, to 
do as others did, and what was generally thought 
the only reasonable line of conduct. I first return- 
ed to Dreneuf, on an evening of extreme cold, and 
travelled all night. My mother was satisfied with 
what I told her, and with my determination ; and 
it was agreed we should repair to Nantes the next 
day. I was very sorry I could not take my child 
with me ; but she was too young for a journey in 
such weather, and Mademoiselle Carria remained 
to take care of her. 

My mother travelled in a carriage with Madame 
Dumoiistiers, and I went on horseback, that I might 
go by Prinquiaux, to visit my little girl, whom I 
had not seen for seven months. I wandered from 
the road, and suifered terribly from cold ; but I 
arrived safe, and found my daughter beautiful and 
healthy ; but very delicate 5 and, after leaving 
many injunctions with the nurse to take great care 
of her, I resumed my journey to join my mother 
at Nantes. 

The prisons were at last empty. We found 
many Vendeens, to whom we were recommended. 
M. Maccurtin, a good royalist, just released from 
prison, and whom the representative Ruelle had 
made his secretary, to shew his moderation, un- 
dertook to get our amnesty signed privately, and 
without delay. We went, at the time appointed, 
to the ofilce of the representative. He was not 
there; but I met M. Bureau de la Batarderie, 
formerly a member of the Chamhre des Comptes^ 
whose active and conciliating disposition had been 



34j3 

a principal cause of the pacification. He was the 
first to conceive the idea of it, and brought it about 
by the good advice he gave to both parties. He 
spake with much warmth to us on the desirableness 
and necessity of it. 

The representative now came in, and, address- 
ing us with great civility, said, ^' Ladies, you are 
come, 1 see, to make your peace !" and approached 
to salute me ; but I drew back with displeasure, 
and he did not insist. I was still dressed as a 
peasant. He signed our amnesty, which was couch- 
ed in the following terms : — " Liberty ; — equality ; 
— peace to the good ;~war to the wicked ; — jus- 
tice to all. — The representatives have admitted to 
the amnesty such a person^ who declares having 
concealed himself for his personal safety." 

We wished to leave Nantes soon, and remain 
unnoticed ; but there was something soothing in 
again seeing our companions in misery, and to 
hear how they had escaped so many dangers. We 
felt also a melancholy interest in learning how those 
we had lost had perished. 

Madame de Bonchamp, when at Ancenis, had 
procured a small boat, and attempted to cross the 
Loire, with her two children. The armed vessels 
fired upon her, and a cannon-ball went through 
the boat ; yet she I'eached the other side, and some 
peasants swam after her and saved her. She then 
remained concealed on a farm, and was often 
obliged to resort to a hollow tree for safety. 1q 
this forlorn situation, the small-pox attacked her 
3.nd her children, and her son died. At the end 



344 

of three months she was discovered, conveyed to 
Nantes, and condemned to death. She had re. 
signed herself to her fate, when she read on a slip 
of paper, handed to her through the grate of her 
dungeon, these words, *' Say you are with child." 
She made this declaration, and her execution was 
suspended. Her hushand having been dead a long 
time, she was obliged to say the child belonged to 
a republican soldier. She remained shut up, and 
every day saw some unfortunate women go to ex- 
ecution, who had been deposited the evening be- 
fore in her dungeon, after receiving their sentence. 
At the end of three months, it being evident that 
she was not pregnant, she was ordered for execu- 
tion, but obtained again two months and a half as 
a last respite, when the death of Robespierre saved 
her, and she was finally liberated by the active 
(Exertions of M. Haudaudine. 

M. Haudaudine, a respectable merchant of 
Nantes, and a zealous republican, but sincere and 
virtuous, proved himself another Regains. Hav- 
ing been taken prisoner by M. de Charrette, he ob- 
tained permission to return to the republicans, to 
endeavour to dissuade them from the practice of 
shooting their prisoners, and make them consent to 
a cartel of exchange. M. Haudaudine was very ill 
received at Nantes. They declaimed against the 
baseness of his proposal, and signified to him, that 
he was disengaged from the promises he had given 
to the brigands. But M. Haudaudine, at the risk 
of being the victim of both parties, returned to M. 
de Charrette, who, I know not why, again impri^ 



315 

soned liim. When M. de Charrette was driven 
back to Tiffauges, M. Haudaudine, thrown among 
the other prisoners, was spared, as well as theoi 
at St. Florent. This generosity excited his grati- 
tude, and as soon as he had the power of favouring 
the Vendeens, he employed himself with zeal in 
their cause. In order to save Madame de Bon- 
champ, he made a numher of the prisoners of 81. 
Florent sign a declaration, that she had obtained 
from her dying husband the pardon of 5000 repub- 
licans. 

Madame de Bonchamp apologised, with a very 
good grace, for having ascribed to herself a merit 
w^hich belonged to the whole army, and said, that, 
had I been in prison, the certificate would have done 
for both. Tiie truth was, she had appeased M. 
d'Argognes, and the enraged soldiers, who threat- 
ened the republican prisoners. Madame d'Auti- 
champ, mother of M. Charles d'AuticIiamp, suc- 
ceeded so well in disguising herself, that she enter- 
ed into the service of an administrator of the dis- 
trict, and tended the cows ; and, as she never di- 
vulged the secret to any one, she never was spared, 
and worked as hard as any common peasant. At 
the end of a year, she heard of an amnesty, but 
was afraid for a long time to ask any question upon 
the subject. At last she determined to inquire of 
her master if it was true. " And w hat have you to 
do with that, good woman?" said he. — "It is be- 
cause I have known some brigands ; — how are they 
received ?-^ — " With open arms." — *' But, Sir, 
persons of consequence, are they also well receiv- 

Xx 



846 

ed?'^ — "Still better." — Madamed'Autichamptheti 
told him who ske was. The master^ being a good- 
natured man, w^as so struck with the discovery, and 
with regret at the hardships she had undergone, 
that he reproached her, with tears in his eyes, for 
lier want of confidence. 

Many Vendeeu ladies had similar adventures. 
They became, during their proscription, real pea- 
sants, working in the fields, keeping sheep, and 
fulfilling all the other duties of their new condition. 
A young lady of Yoyerie cut off her finger with 
her sickle while reaping. This mode of conceal- 
ment was very hard and painful ; but, affording 
most security, was perhaps the least uncomforta- 
ble. 

There were also many persons saved in the town 
of Nantes, notwithstanding the terror that prevail- 
ed there. Some of the people were extremely 
good; and I could mention instances of noble dis- 
interested courage and humanity towards the pro- 
scribed. The wealthy merchants shewed them- 
selves, in general, very humane, and, although in 
favour of the revolution in its origin, they detested 
the crimes it led to, and were therefore as much 
persecuted as the royalists. The ferocious set, 
eager for massacres and noyadeSf* was composed of 
the lower class of citizens (jjetits hourgeois) and 
tradesmen, of whom many were not Nautais. 

Some ladies, as by a miracle, were forgotten in 
the prisons. Among these were found Madame de 



* Drownings. 



347 

Beauvolliers, Madame and Mademoiselle de ]a 
Marsonniere, Mademoiselle de Mondyon, &c. ; 
but the most part of those who were taken either 
died on the scaffold, or were drowned. They all 
displayed an heroic couragCj never disavowing 
their real sentiments, &c. 

The peasants, women as well as men, did not 
shew less courage, devotion, and enthusiasm, re- 
peating, in their last moments, "Vive le Roi !" 
^* We are going to Paradise !" 

Madame de Jourdain was taken to the Loire, 
to be drowned with her three daughters. A sol- 
dier wished to save the youngest, who was very 
beautiful ; but she, determined to share her mother's 
fate, threw herself into the water. The unfortu- 
nate girl falling upon dead bodies, did not sink ; 
she cried out, '^ O push me in, I have not water 
enough !" and perished ! 

Mademoiselle de Cuissard, aged sixteen, was 
still more beautiful, and excited the same in- 
terest in an officer, who passed three hours at her 
feet, supplicating her to allow him to save her; but 
she had an old relation whom this man would not 
run the risk to save, and Mademoiselle Cuissard 
threw herself into the Loire after her. 

A horrible death was that of Madame de la 
Roche St. Andre. As she was with child, they 
spared her till she should be delivered, and thea 
allowed her to nurse her child ; but it died, and the 
next day she was executed. 

It has been said that all women with child 
were spared : but, on the contrary, it was rarC; 



348 

* 

and only when they were brought before the tribu- 
nals. Mothers were then allowed time to nurse 
their infants, as being a rejmblican obligation f 
Such was the humanity of these times. 

My poor Agatha had encountered very great 
dang<n's. She had left me at Nort, to avail herself 
of the amnesty which was then held out. She 
eame to Nantes, and was taken before General 
Lamberty, the most ferocious of Carrier's friends. 

Agatha's figure pleased him, and he said, '^' Are 
you afraid, hrigande ?" " No, General," answer- 
ed she. " Well, then, when you are, remember 
Lamberty !" She was then conducted to the en- 
trepot, the too famous prison, where the victims 
destined to be drowned were collected, and carried 
by hundreds each night on board the boats, tied 
two and two, and pushed at the point of the bayo- 
nets into the water. They seized so indiscrimi- 
nately all they found in the entrepot, that, upon 
one occasion, they drowned all the officers of a 
British ship who were prisoners of war. Another 
time. Carrier, desirous of giving an example of the 
strictness of republican morals, got together three 
hundred women of the town, and had them all 
drowned ! Fifteen thousand persons perished in 
this manner in the course of one month ! Misery 
and disease assisted, indt^ed, in tlte destruction, 
making great havoc among the prisoners, w^ho lay 
crowded on straw, destitute of every comfort, and 
receiving no assistance: they were scarcely known, 
and the dead bodies were often left more than a 
day before they were carried away. 



349 

Agatha, expecting immediate death, sent to 
Lamberty. He conducted her into a small boat 
with a swing trap-door, in which they had drown- 
ed the priests, and which Carrier had given to 
him. He was alone with her, and wished to take 
advantage of the opportunity. She resisted, and 
Lamberty threatened to drown her, on which she 
atttempted to throw herself overboard, but he 
stopped her, and said, ^' You are a noble girl, I 
will save you." He left her eight days alone in 
this vessel, in which she nightly heard the drown- 
ings that took place. He afterwards concealed 
her in the house of S — , another faithful instru- 
ment of Carrier's. 

S- — had a brother a Vendeen, and, in the begin- 
ning of the war, having been made a prisoner by 
the insurgents, this brother saved his life, and set 
him at liberty. After the defeat of Savenay, the 
Vendeen came to Nantes, and solicited an asylum 
from his brother, who, instead of granting it, de- 
nounced him, and he was executed. Remorse, 
however, soon took possession of S — , and, ima- 
gining himself incessantly pursued by his brother's 
ghost, he plunged into new crimes to drown the 
recollection of the first. 

His wife, a very beautiful and excellent woman, 
conceived great horror at this crime, and often 
expressed this sentiment. It was, therefore, with 
the view of conciliating her, that S — thought of 
saving a Vendeen, and taking her to their house. 

Some time after, there was a division among the 
republicans of Nantes. Some of his enemies ac- 



^50 

cused Lamberty of having saved some \vomeu from 
the noyades, and drowned others who should not 
have suffered. A young man named Robin, who 
was very much devoted to Lamberty, came and 
seized Agatha in the house of Madame S — , drag- 
ged her into a boat, and was going to stab her, 
that no living proof of the crime with which they 
reproached his patron might remain. Agatha 
threw herself at his feet, and succeeded in excit- 
ing his pity ; he carried her to one of his friends, 
named Lavaux, who was an honest man, and had 
already sheltered Madame de PEpinay. The next 
day, however, the asylum of Agatha was disco- 
vered, and she was arrested. 

Although the enemies of Lamberty continued 
to pursue, and at last accomplished his destruction, 
there was some interest excited for Agatha, and 
S — and Lavaux were praised for their humanity. 
After the death of Robespierre, Agatha still re- 
mained some months in prison. 

During the latter part of that time, she often re- 
ceived intelligence of us from peasants, who came 
to Nantes to see their imprisoned relations. Cot- 
tet, who had also miraculously escaped, and who 
had early got himself released, by passing for a 
Swiss republican, determined to find us out, and 
formed a plan for taking us as his relations into 
Switzerland. I have already related how his zeal 
occasioned us great uneasiness, and endangered 
his own life. 



351 



CHAPTER XXIII. 



tin Account of the Fate of the different Vendeen 
Officers who continued the War. — Our Return 
to Bourdeaux. 

It was at Nantes I learned the fate of the fugi- 
tives, and how those who continued the war ter- 
minated their lives ; but I was not informed till 
afterwards of many particulars which attended the 
close of their glorious career. 

My father, the Chevaliers de BeauvoUiers, MM. 
Desessarts, de Mondyon, de Tinguy, and some 
others, withdre\v, after the defeat of Savenay, into 
the forest of Gavre. They found concealed there 
a M. Canelle, a Nantes merchant, who had been 
outlawed. He offered to assist them in finding an 
asylum, but my father and his companions prefer- 
red attempting some new enterprise. They col- 
lected about two hundred Vendeens, and surprised 
Ancenis, but as they were endeavouring to ford 
the Loire, the republicans, who had taken away 
the boats, perceiving the small number of the as- 
sailants, returned and surrounded them. Prodi- 
gies of valour were exhihited by the Vendeens in 
this combat, and they succeeded in cutting their 
way through, but; wounded and exhausted^ they 



Sd2 

Were overtaken on the heath hy dragoons, who 
carried them to Angers, where they were shot. 
Mademoiselle Desessarts, who was with them^ 
shared the same fate.* 

The name of Donnissan became extinct with my 
father. M. de Lescure was also the last of his. 
family, whose original name had been Salgues, 
but acquired by marriage the name of Lescure, 
which they had home for three hundred years, and 
the name of Salgues was now no longer inserted 
even in the family deeds. There are many fami- 
lies who bear the name of Salgues, and others 
that of Lescure, but none of them are connected 
with that of m}'^ husband's. 

The Prince of Talmont was taken with M. 
Bougon, in the environs of Laval. Tliey cruelly 
protracted his death, leading him from town to 
town, and from prison to prison : but he dis- 
played a, courage and dignity worthy of his de- 
scent, antl remained unmoved amid the insults of 
the republicans. He said to his judges, '' Do 
your oifice — I have performed ray duty." They 
concluded by executing him in the court of his 
chateau of Laval. 

MM, Duperat, Forestier, Henou, Duchesnier, Jar- 
ry,Cacquerey, the Chevalier de Chantreau, and some 
others, penetrated into Brittany, where they were 



* They did not drown at Angers as at Nantes, but 
shot their wretched victims, who were led to executioiij 
fastened together in couples like hounds. 



353 

at first in concealment, but as soon as tlie Chouans 
of M. (le Puysaye shewed themselves, they joined 
them. M. de Cacquerey being surprised alone, 
was killed ; and at the end of a few months, the 
rest of the Vendeens, tired and disgusted with an 
obscure war, carried on more by intrigues than bat- 
tles, M. de Puysaye always repressing rather than 
sinjporting their ardour, returned to the Chouans on 
the borders of the Loire, commanded by M. de Se- 
peaux, and from thence to La Vendee. The Che- 
valier de Beaurepaire, MM. de Bejarry, the three 
MM. Soyer, MM. Cadi, Grelier, MM. Vannier, 
Tonnelay, Tranquille, de la Salmoniere, Lejeay, 
&c. repassed by degrees to the left bank, and con- 
tinued to add to the reputation they had already 
acquired. Many others were less fortunate, and ei- 
ther perished on the scaffold or died in their re- 
treat, without my being able to learn the particu- 
lars of their death. MM. de la Marsonniere, Du- 
rivault, de Perault, d'Isigny, de Marsanges, de 
Yilleneuve, Lamothe, Desnoues, the last of the 
BcauvoUiers, &c. thus ended their lives. 

The old M. d'Auzon, who was taken at Blain 
with his servant, was anxious to save the life of 
this fine young man, who had remained to attend 
upon him. But on seeing the interest he felt, they 
siiot the young man first, to render this good old 
man's death more bitter. 

M. de Sanglier expired between his two grand- 
daughters, from fatigue and disease. One of these 
grand-daughters has been since found. M. de 
Langrcniere was guillotined at Nantes. M. de 



354 

Sepeaux concealed himself, and became afterwards 
the chief of a Chouan corps in the environs of Can- 
dc and Ancenis. 

M. de Lacroix was denounced by four deserters., 
who demanded a reward for this service. Carrier, 
after guillotining M. de Lacroix, sent them to An- 
gers with a pretended letter of recommendation, 
but which contained an order to have them shot. 
The young M. de Beaucorps was taken, but his 
face was so disfigured by sabre wounds, that he 
could not be recognised, and he answered their 
questions in a manner that led them to believe his 
wounds had disordered his reason ; and uncertain 
whether he was a Blue or a Vendeen, he was re- 
tained in prison, from which the amnesty released 
him. Two of our excellent officers, MM. Odaly 
and Brunet, his cousin, were sleeping together 
wiien the prisoners were sent for to be led to exe- 
cution. They called out M. Odaly and his cousin, 
but ihe latter, by appearing quite unconcerned, v/as 
supposed not to be the man, and escaped. 

M. de Solilhac, after escaping from Mans, where 
he had been made a prisoner, found means of pro- 
curing a pass, and the dress of a soldier, crossed 
all France, even Paris, and arrived at the outposts 
of the army of the north, and from thence passed 
into the English camp. The Duke of York wel- 
comed cordially a Vendeen who could give hirn 
tlie particulars of a war, as yet Utile understood by 
foreigners, and immediately sent him on to Lon- 
don. The Ministers received him graciously, and 
made many inquiries with a view to the expeditions 



355 

they were perpetually planning for the west coast of 
France, but which they never executed. At the 
conclusion of some months, M. de Solilhac, wea- 
ried with repeated disappointments, crossed over 
in an open boat, and landing In Brittany, hired 
himself as a miller's servant ; then inciting several 
parishes to rise, he became the chief of a division 
of Chouans. 

M. Allard had crossed the Loire, and after wan- 
dering many days, was taken. He was condemn- 
ed to be shot, and was led to the place of execu- 
tion; but a sudden alarm and call to arms having 
suspended it, his look of youth, and candour, inte- 
rested in his favour, and he was saved, but obliged 
to inlist in a battalion, and sent to Noirmoutier, 
whence after some time he escaped, and returned 
by swimming across the arm of the sea which se- 
parates it from the Continent. He presented him- 
self to M. Charrette, who received him coldly, but 
soon becoming sensible of his merit, gave him the 
command of a division. M. Allard was in some 
measure the occasion of the second war. Some 
soldiers, who were under his command, having 
violated the armistice, the republicans imprisoned 
him. M. de Charrette having claimed him, and 
being refused, took arms again. 

The pretended Bishop of Agra was discovered 
and taken in the environs of Angers. He was ask- 
ed if he was the Bishop of Agra. "Yes," answer- 
ed he, "I am he who was called so;'' and would 
give no other rpply. He behaved on the scaffold 
with great courage. His sisters also suffered on 
his account. 



356 

MM. (TElbee, d'Haiitrive, de Boisy, Madame 
d'Elbee^ and many other ladies, were escorted to 
the army of M. de Charrette, by the brother of Ca- 
thelineau, and an officer named M. Biret, at the 
head of fifteen hundred Angevins, and crossed all 
the republican posts. M. de Charrette sent all the 
women and the wounded to Noirmoutier, which he 
had just surprised an<l taken. Cathelineau hrought 
back the Angevins to their own district. 

Three months after, the republicans took Noir- 
moutier, where they found M. d'Elbee still at 
death's door from his woiituls. His wife might 
have got away, but she would not leave him. When 
the Blues entered his chamber, they said, " So 
this is d'Elbee !" " Yes," replied he ; " you see 
your greatest enemy, and had I strength to fight, 
you should not have taken Noirmoutier ; or at 
least, you should have purchased it dearly." They 
kept him five days, and loaded him with insulls. 
He submitted to an examination, during which he 
displayed great moderation and candour. At 
length, exhausted by suffering, he said, '^ Gentle- 
men, it is time to conclude ; — let me die." As he 
was unable to stand, they placed this brave and 
virtuous general in an arm-chair, where he was 
shot. His wife, upon seeing him carried to execu- 
tion, fainted away ; a republican officer, shewing 
some pity, supported her, but he was threatened to 
be shot if he did not leave her. Slie was put to 
death the next day. MVI. de Boisy and d'Hau- 
trive were also shot. They filled a street with Ven- 
deen fugitives, and suspected inhabitants of the isl- 



357 

and, and massacred the whole. Among these were 
the two youn§ Maignan de PEeorce, who, not- 
withstanding their extreme youth, used to go to 
every battle with their governor M. Bire, who was 
also shot. 

I have already given an account how MM. de 
Larochejaquelein, de Bauge, Stofflet, de Langerie, 
and about twenty soldiers, had been separated 
from the army before Ancenis. A republican pa- 
trole had pursued them from the river side, and the 
soldiers were dispersed, but the four chiefs escap- 
ed together through the fields. The whole day they 
wandered about the country without finding a sin- 
gle inhabitant. 

All the houses were burnt, and the peasants who 
remained were concealed in the woods. The corps 
of insurgents, of which they had heard, and which 
had appeared before Ancenis, was commanded by 
one of Cathelineau's brothers ; but it was not al- 
ways assembled, and only for limited operations. 
After twenty-four hours of fatigue, Henri and his 
three companions found an inhabited farm, and had 
just thrown themselves upon some straw to sleep, 
when the farmer came to tell them that " the Blues 
were coming." They had, however, such absolute 
need of rest and sleep, that they were unwilling to 
move even at the hazard of life, and awaited their 
fate. It was a small party of Blues, who were as 
much fatigued as the Vendeens, and slept near 
thera on the other side of the same heap of straw. 
Before day M. de Bauge awakened his compa- 
nions, and they set off again, wandering through a 



338 

desolated country, where they travelled whole 
leagues without seeing a human being ; and would 
have died with hunger, had they not afterwards 
fortunately met some Blues, whom they attacked 
and took their bread. 

They penetrated as far as Chatillon, and even 
entered it during the night. The centinel called out 
to them, " Qui vive ?" but they did not reply, and 
escaped. From thence they went to Mademoiselle 
Larochejaquelein's Iiouse at St. Aubin, where she 
was concealed, and passed three days with her. 
Henri was overwhelmed with grief and despair at 
being separated from his army in so fatal a manner; 
but, after making inquiries respecting the state of 
the country, he resolved to return to his old Poite- 
vin followers, and rally what remained of them. 
At this moment, he learned that M. de Charrette 
was advancing towards Maulevrier, and, in conse- 
quence, he and his companions set out, and travel- 
led during the night, to join the army. He was 
coldly received by the general, who, just sitting 
down to breakfast, did not even offer him a place at 
the table. They conversed on the campaign of the 
Outre-Loire, about which M^ de Charrette asked 
some vague questions. They then separated, and 
M. de Larochejaquelein went to a peasant's house, 
to get something to eat. Some hours after, the drum 
beat for the army to march, and Henri returned to 
M. de Charrette, who said to him, " You will fol- 
low me." — " Sir," replied Henri, *^ I am not ac- 
customed to follow, but to be followed !" and turn- 
ed his back upon the general ; and they parted 
thus. 



359 

All the peasants from the environs of Chalillon 
and Chollet, who had come to join the army of 
Charrette, the moment they saw Henri, pressed 
around him, without his having addressed a word 
to them. 

M. de Larochejaquelein commenced active ope- 
rations against the Bhies. He first assembled his 
troops in the parish of Nevy, whence they march- 
ed all night, and carried a republican post, situated 
at eight leagues distance; and, during four nights 
in succession, he made similar expeditions, and al- 
ways at such remote points, as prevented any sur- 
mise where his attacks were to be made. The re- 
publicans, imagining he must have a number of 
troops, sent a considerable force to oppose him. 
Henri then established himself in the forest of 
Vesins, and from hence he made excursions, sur- 
prising posts, and capturing convoys and small de- 
tachments of the enemy. One day an adjutant- 
general was brought to him, who was extremely 
siirprised to see M. de Larochejaquelein, the gene- 
ral of tlie Veudeeu army, inhabiting a hut made 
of branches, dressed as a peasant, a large woollen 
cap upon his head, and his arm in a sling, forAvant 
of rest had retarded his wound from healing. M. 
de Larochejaquelein had him examined, and then 
shot. They had found in his pocket an order to 
promise amnesty to the peasants, and then to mas- 
sacre them as they came in. Henri took measures 
to let this order be know^u throughout the country. 

His small forces increased by little and little, 
and; by degrees, became masters of the whole 



360 

country; but they were still not sufficiently strong 
to attack the garrisons of Mortagne and Chatillon* 
On Ash- Wednesday, the >lth of March i79^ 
they had attacked Trementine sur Nouaille, and 
gained some slight advantage. Henri saw two re- 
publican grenadiers, whom his soldiers would have 
killed ; " No," said he, <^ I wish to speak to them." 
He then went forward, calling out, *' Surrender ; 
you shall have your lives !" One of the grenadiers 
turned, and fired upon him. The ball struck his 
forehead, and he fell dead ! The grenadier endea« 
voured to snatch his carabine, to fire at M. de 
Bauge and some others, who were hastening on, 
but was cut down. They were penetrated with 
grief; but, as an enemy's column approached, they 
liastily dug a grave, where Henri and his murderer 
were buried together. Stofflet, so far from sharing 
in the universal sorrow, said, in his vulgar lan- 
guage, " This was not (the Peru), your Laroche 
jaquelein. He was no such wonder." He then 
seized on Henri's horse, and took the command to 
which he was entitled. 

Thus perished, at twenty-one, Henri de Laro- 
chejaquelein ! To this day the peasants speak with 
love and pride of his great courage, his modesty, 
his aifability ; that easy careless good humour of a 
soldier (ce caractere de guerrier, et de bon evfant) 
which distinguished him. There is not a Vendeen 
whose countenance does not brighten when he tells 
of his having served under M. Henri ! He was 
born in the Chateau de la Durbelliere, the 30th of 
August 177s. 



361 

Stofflet, after taking the command, carried on a 
separate war against the republicans, and had some 
successes, and even took the important post of 
ChoUet- It was about this time that M. de Ma- 
rigny, crossing the Loire, entered the district of 
Bressuire, with which he was well acquainted. He 
there collected together the remains of M. de Les- 
cure's division, and in a short time formed a large 
army that adored him ; for notwithstanding his se- 
verity tow ards the Blues, nobody was more good 
natured. There were at this time three separate 
armies. The army on the coast, commanded by 
M. de Charrette, that of Anjou, by Stofflet, and the 
army of Poitou, by M. de Marigny. 

M. de Marigny opened with a brilliant and suc- 
cessful engagement. On Good Friday, the 18th 
of April, he attacked the Blues in the avenues of 
our chateau of Clisson, beat them completely, and 
killed 1200 men. This defeat intimidated them 
extremely, and evacuating Bressuire, they with- 
drew into their camp of Chiche. He then placed 
the centre of his armj' at Cerizais, and from thence 
made excursions, which were almost all fortunate ; 
and none of the three generals preserved their dis 
tricts so clear from the Blues. M, de Marigny 
even pushed as far as Mortagne, but though he 
beat the republicans, he could not preserve that 
post. Many of our former officers left the other 
armies to join his, and among those were M. de 
Bauge and the Chevalier de Beaurepaire, from An- 
jou. MM. de Charrette and Stofflet became very 
6000 jealoas of the power and iallusnce ac9[\iired 



36S 

by M. de Marigny, and this feeling produced a 
species of correspondence and concert between 
them. They proposed to M. de Marigny a con- 
ference, for the purpose of concerting a common 
plan of operations ; and at this meeting it was 
agreed that the three armies should unite, and at- 
tack the republican posts which flanked the whole 
left bank of the Loire. 

On the day appointed, M. de Marigny arrived 
after a long march, at the rendezvous. When the 
distribution of provisions took place, he demanded 
the share for his soldiers, but did not receive a suf- 
ficient quantity. His troops, already discontented 
with having been dragged so far from their canton- 
ments, mutinied, and marched back. M. de Ma- 
rigny finding the council would not attend to his 
just complaints^ followed his soldiers, and, in ex- 
treme rage, returned to Cerizais. His resentment 
was the more justly excited, as these gentlemen had 
but a few days before proposed to deprive him of 
his command, and reduce him to be only general of 
the artillery, as he had formerly been. This pro- 
posal was the more extraordinary, as there was 
scarcely any cannon left in La Vendee. 

The expedition of Charrette and Stofflet did not 
take place. They went after M. de Marigny as 
far as Cerizais, hut he was no longer there, and 
his army was disbanded. They convoked a coun- 
cil of war, and condemned him to death for contu- 
macy. Charrette was reporter, and moved for the 
sentence of death. 

The army of Marigny felt the utmost resentment 



363 

at this iniquitous sentence, and swore they would 
defend their general against all his enemies. He 
heard of the condemnation with composure. Loyal 
to excess himself, he could not believe his fellow 
soldiers could in reality wish to destroy him. Such 
an intention appeared to hira as absurd as it was 
cruel ; but he could not bear the idea of any blood 
shed on his account. 

He was ill in health, and withdrew to a small 
country house near Cerizais, and passed there some 
time, and with the more security, from Stofflet hav- 
ing often declared that he was devoted to him ; he 
thought they only wished to deprive him of his 
command. He therefore took no precautions, al- 
though Stofflet approached Cerizais, and did not 
even accept the invitation of M. de Charrette to 
come into his cantonment ; a proposal which seem- 
ed to imply that this general did not wish his 
death. 

Meantime, the curate of St. Laud, who had ac- 
quired the most unbounded influence over Stofflet, 
arrived from the army of Charrette. The day of 
his arrival Stofflet gave orders to some Germans to 
go and shoot M. de Marigny. The wretches obey- 
ed. M. de Marigny had only his domestics with 
him ; he could not believe so infamous an act was 
intended. But when he saw, however, that hia 
death was determined, he requested a confessor, 
which was rudely denied. On this, passing into 
his garden, he said to the soldiers, " It is for me 
to command you ! Toyour ranks, chasseurs !" He 
then called, <^ Present — Fire !" and fell dead. 



S64j 

Of all the Vemlecns none certainly met a death 
more deplorable and revolting. Stofflet came to 
Cerizais, and met M. de Marigny's staff-officers 
with a gloomy and embarrassed air. After a mo- 
ment he said, " Gentlemen, M. de Marigny was 
condemned to death, and he has been executed.^' 
A profound silence prevailed, and he left the room. 
The curate of St. Laud came in at this moment^ 
feeling, or feigning surprise, but no indignation ; 
he pretended ignorance, and that he was just arriv- 
ed from beyond the Loire. It appeared certain, 
however, that he had had a conference on the 
preceding evening with Stofflet, who, it was ge= 
nerally believed, would never have acted thus of 
his own accord. A moment before giving orders to 
the chasseurs, he had promised to the elder M. 
Soyer, one of his best and loyal officers, that he 
would not injure M. de Marigny. 

This death occasioned a kind of mutiny. The 
domestics of M. de Marigny, who had been put in 
prison, were released. The soldiers disbanded, 
and refused to march under the orders of the maa 
who had assassinated their general. Few of the 
Vendeen chiefs were more regretted and left a high- 
er character than M. de Marigny. He was inde- 
fatigable in his exertions to preserve the country 
from the devastations of the Blues ; and the Poite- 
vin peasants were full of gratitude and attachment. 
Their hatred of Stofflet is unabated, and they never 
speak of the death of their general without the 
keenest resentment. 

M. de Bauge, who was warmly attached to Ma- 



363 

rigny, publicly declared, that he would continue to 
serve because it was necessary, but it should be as 
a common soldier. Stofflet ordered him to prison^ 
but M. de Beaurepaire declared himself as guilty 
as M. de Bauge. His firmness intimidated Stofflet 
The next day there was an engagement, during 
which M. de Bange's guards left him at liberty. 
He took his arms and joined in the battle, return- 
ing to his prison when it was over; but the soldiers 
said they would not guard him any longer. He 
continued in the army as a common soldier, never 
approaching StoflBet, nor holding any intercourse 
with him. As soon as Charrette accepted the am- 
nesty, be availed himself of it ; and, while the in- 
triguers who surrounded Stofflet retarded the paci- 
fication, for the purpose of procuring better terms 
for themselves, he, on the contrary endeavoured to 
pacify and draw from the woods the peasants of 
M. de Marigny, who had remained there since his 
death, determined to acknowledge no other chief, 
nor follow any other army, only attacking such re- 
publican patroles as disturbed them. 

After the death of M. de Marigny, there were 
but two armies ; although a third might be said to 
exist under M. de Royrand, but it was very incon- 
siderable. In this manner the insurrection came 
to be entirely in the hands of MM. de Charrette 
and Stofflet, who never, in reality, agreed. They 
were both devoured with jealousy and ambition. 
The war had no longer that character of union 
among the chiefs, and universal self-devoiiou which 
distinguished the early days of La Vendee. The 



peasants were disheartened, and severity was be* 
come necessary to keep them to their duty, instead 
of those higher motives by which they were at first 
impelled. No great battles were fought as former- 
ly; it became a war of ruffians, carried on by 
treachery. The ferocity of the republicans had 
hardened the most humane, and reprisals were 
made for the massacring of prisoners, the noyades 
of Nantes, broken promises, villages burnt, with 
all their inhabitants, and all the horrors, which 
posterity will hardly credit ! Some republican co- 
lumns, called themselves the Infernals, had scour- 
ed the country in every direction, massacring men|f 
women, and children. It happened more than once 
that a republican general, after sending word to the 
mayor that he would spare the inhabitants of a 
commune, if they would return to their dwellings, 
had them surrounded, and slaughtered to the last 
man. No faith whatever was kept with these un- 
fortunate peasants. 

During this horrible war, it must be admitted, 
that M. de Charrette acquired immortal glory. 
The boldness of his measures, his fertility in re- 
sources, and constancy, never subdued in the most 
desperate situations, mark him a great man. 
Wounded, pursued from place to place, with 
scarcely twelve companions left, this general was 
still such an object of fear to the republicans, as to 
induce them to offer him a million of livres, and a 
free passage to England ; which he refused, choos- 
ing to persevere in the unequal struggle, till he was 
taken and put to death. 



367 

Stofflet had some of the same qualities, and per- 
haps more military talents ; but he was harsh and 
brutal, yet easily led ; and the curate of St. Laud 
obtained a complete ascendency ovet* him ; and to 
the use he made of it, he owed the reputation he 
has left in La Vendee, for selfishness, vanity, and 
ambition. That prudence, judgment, and talent, 
he had shewn to attain his end, forsook him entire- 
ly afterwards. 

Many officers distinguished themselves in the 
three armies by noble traits of heroism, now little 
known, because the war had no important conse- 
quences. 

The brother of Cathelineau, who had collected 
some troops after the passage of the Loire, shewed 
himself worthy of his name, and died gloriously. 
Two other brothers, four brothers-in-law, and six- 
teen cousins, died in battle. One son and four 
daughters of the general are all that remain of his 
illustrious name, and they are in great poverty. 

The health of my mother, and the wish to learn 
the fate of our relations and friends, to the end of 
the war, detained us two days in Nantes. The 
few persons that came to see me, and who had not 
known me before, were extremely surprised. The 
Vendeen ladies, and I in particular, had such a 
warlike reputation, that they fancied Madame de 
Lescure must be a great masculine woman, wield- 
ing her sabre, and fearing nothing. I was oblig- 
ed to disclaim all the high feats attributed to me, 
and frankly tell how the least danger frightened 
me. 



368 

We now wished to set out for Medoc, and, as a 
passport was necessary, M. Maccurtin gave me an 
order of the representatives, which enjoined the 
municipality to give passports to Victoire Salgues, 
and to Marie Citran, as I had thought it better for 
the journey to conceal the names by which we were 
known ; and, still dressed as a peasant, I carried 
it to the municipality. Many persons waited for 
their papers, and were very roughly treated. 

A religieuse was immediately before me, and 
the municipality, who, like the representatives, 
shewed now great attention to those whom they had 
slaughtered a little while ago, behaved extremely 
well to her, which encouraged me, and I advanced. 
At the name of amnistiee,* they all rose, made 
me a number of bows, called me Madame, offering 
their services with great civility, and all this to a 
poor Vendeen, whilst they treated the republicans 
so bluntly, and thou^d and thee^d them, ftutoyer^J 
they spoke to me in the third person. 

We set out upon our journey, with our maids, 
in a carriage we had purchased ; taking with us 
Mademoiselle de Concise, whose mother had pe- 
rished at Nantes, and who did not know where to 
go. Our whole luggage was contained in two little 
baskets, which astonished the postillions ex- 
tremely. 

I stopped to see the people to whom I had con- 
fided the care of my eldest daughter, near Ance- 



* Person under the amnesty. 



369 

nis, having always indulged some hope of her be- 
ing still alive, and thought it might be for the pur- 
pose of better concealment, that they had said she 
was dead. I was so persuaded of it, that I impru- 
dently offered them 3000 francs* down, and an an- 
nuity of 1^00, if they wtjuld restore my daughter, 
for they miglit have been tempted hy this bribe to 
impose another child upon me. But they repeated 
with tears that she was dead, and that with her 
they had lost their fortune. They had even the in- 
tegrity to offer to me the money I had given 
them for concealing her. 

At Aneenis, as the Chouans often appeared in 
force upon the road of Angers, the district would 
not allow us to proceed farther witiiout an escort, 
although there were republican posts at every half 
league. We durst not tell that we were not afraid 
of the brigands. We passed two days waiting the 
arrival of an aide-de-camp of General Canclaux, 
who was to pass that way, and they wished to 
make one escort serve for both. When he came, 
on learning who we were, he had the politeness to 
make our carriage move first; thinking too, per- 
haps, that we should defend him better against tlie 
Chouans than his escort of seventeen hussars. 
Thus were we defended by the Blues against the 
brigands! This strange situation distressed me; 
but after Angers there was no farther occasion for 
an escort, and we continued our journey lo Bour- 
deaux, without any other impediment than those a 

* Tcnp lice sterling lo a franc. 
3 A 



370 

very severe season offered, being stopper! eleven 
days by <he ice, at the passage of St. Andre de Cub- 
zac. We observed a great deal of poverty every 
where in the country, and even absolute famine. 

On the 8th of February, we arrived at Bordeaux, 
and found my uncle de Courcy had been long dan- 
gerously ill; but this circumstance had saved him 
from persecution ; and Citrau was not sold. Onr 
friends, rejoiced as they were at seeing us, felt a 
sort of terror; they could scarcely credit the am- 
nesty, the particulars of which were unknown to 
them; we were objects of curiosity and interest, 
and they looked upon us as very extraordinary 
persons. We went to the department to have our 
amnesty registered, still in our peasant dress. They 
received us coldly, but civilly. The commissary of 
the department was disposed to lecture us a little, 
and said, they relied on our repentance. This 
phrase shocked me ; I coloured, and looked at liioi 
in a manner that alarmed my friends, but it had no 
bad consequences, and we returned quietly to Ci- 
Iran. 

The amnesty did not terminate my misfortunes, 
but those I have experienced since have less inter- 
est, as they only relate to myself. I lost my little 
daughter, at the moment 1 again hoped to see her. 
She died on being weaned, at seventeen months 
old. By the laws, as well as by M. de Lescure's 
will, I succeeded to the whole of his property. 

When the 18th Fructidor arrived, my name was 
found upon the list of emigrants, and that I, as 
well as other persons whose names were not eras- 



371 

ed, must leave France on pain of death ; although 
it was very clear that I had never emii^rated. I 
went to Spain with M. de Courcy, wliose name 
"was also upon the list, but my mother remained. I 
passed eight months upon the frontiers, and be- 
came sincerely attached to the inhabitants of that 
country, who possess an upright and noble cliarac- 
tery^ from which 1 anticipated the conduct they 
have since pursued. 

Meantime, my mother succeeded in obtaining my 
recal. She had represented tliat my exile was a 
violation of the amnesty, and of the peace conclud- 
ed with the Vendeens, which declared that all 
those who had taken a part in the war were not 
emigrants. 

This just remonstrance was attended to, owing 
to some interest she employed, and she prevailed 
upon them to extend to my department of the Gi- 
ronde, the secret instructions the ministers had giv- 
en to the departments of tiie west, to enable the am- 
nisties to remain in France. They did not, howe- 
Ver, know of this letter at Bordeaux, and thus I 
was the only Vendeen who was obliged to leave 
the kingdom. When I returned, therefore, I was 
not even put under superintendence, {surveillance,) 
being one who ought not to have been sent away. 
The department of Bordeaux erased me from the 
list of emigrants, upon my certificates of residence. 
This decision required to be confirmed at Paris, 
which appeared a thing of course, but I had new 
diflfii'uUies to encounter. Some unknown enemies 
or zealous republicans stole from the offices one 



372 

lialf of the documents, and my demand was'refus- 
ed. I immediately received a new order to quit 
France in eiglit days, under pain of being shot ;— 
and all my property was put up for sale. I return- 
ed to the good Spaniards, who had formerly given 
me an a'«ylum, and p;issed six months among 
them, where I began these Memoirs. I returned to 
France in the month of May, when my name was 
erased. The face of every thing had changed since 
the 18th Brumaire. 

I found on my return, contrary to every expec- 
tation, all the property I had left. Much had been 
sold during the war in La Vendee, but I had been 
di-prived of nothing while I was exiled. 

In Poitou, the memory of M. de Lescure had 
protected me even with persons whom I did not 
know, or who differed from me in opinions ; from 
regard and gratitude to him, they had taken the 
warmest interest in my welfare, and exerted them- 
selves to preserve the property ordered for sale. 
In Gascony I owed every thing to MM. Duehatel, 
Deynant, Magnan, and Deseressoniere. 

My mother pressed me to marry, but I wished to 
devote the remainder of my life to the memory of 
those I had lost. Feeling it even a kind of duty, 
after so many misfortunes, I often thoughr of con- 
secrating my wealth and attention to relieve the 
wounded Vendeens, who had fought under my 
ejes, and whose misery I had shareil. I was also 
unwilling to lose a name so dear to me, and so 
glorious ! I could not bear renouneing all reuiem- 
brance of La Vendee, by thus entering on a new 



373 

existence ! 1 therefore refused my mother's solici- 
tations, till I saw in Poitou M. Louis de Laroche- 
jaquelein, brother of Henri. It seemed to me, that, 
by marrying him, I attached myself still more to 
lia Van dee, and that, by uniting two such names^ 
I did not offend against him whom I had loved so 
much ! ~^ 

I married M. Louis de Larochejaquelein the 1st 
of March 1802, and from that time have lived with 
my mother in the country. 



THK jairji. 



SUPPLEMENT. 



When I wrote my Memoirs for yoa, ray clear 
Children, we lived in the country, shunning with 
care every kind of publicity, avoidifig Paris, che- 
rishing our opinionsj our sentimeuts, and above all, 
the hope that God would one day restore to us our 
legitimate Sovereign. 

M. de Larochejaquelein occupied himself with 
agriculture and field-sports. This peaceable and 
obscure life was of no avail in soothing the irrita- 
tion of the Government, which was far from being 
satisfied with our submission, and seemed to be pro- 
voked that it could not obtain our homage and ser- 
vices. 

We suffered every thing from a tyranny which 
would permit us neither tranquillity nor liapj)iness. 
At one time a spy was jmced among our domes- 
tics ; at another, some of our relations were exiled 
from their homes, from an apprehension that their 
benevolence gave them too firm a hold in the affec- 
tion of their neighbours ; then my husband would 
be summoned to Paris to give an account of his 
conduct, or a hunting party would be represented 



376 

as an attempt to rally the Vendeens. Sometimes 
we were blamed for going to Poitou, because it 
was thought our influence there might be too dan- 
gerous ; then reproached for not remaining there 
and employing that influence in favour of the con- 
scription. People in oflBce thought nothing more 
meritorious than annoying us in any way; pro- 
mises and threats were in turn employed to engige 
our family to accept some office under Government. 
In 1805, M. de Larochejaquelein was offered a' 
place at Court, and solicited to make his own 
terms. Our independent attitude, and the conside- 
ration attached to pure and faithful principles, fa- 
tigued the Government. In short, we were un- 
ceasingly harassed. 

It was nearly about this time that we became ac- 
quainted with M. de JBarante, then under prefect 
of Bressuire. 

The conduct of the people of La Vendee, dur- 
ing the war, had filled him with admiration; he 
liad the highest opinion of their simple and honour- 
able characters. He openly avowed his esteem for 
the constancy of our sentiments ; and a perfect con- 
fidence was soon established between us. He did 
every thing he could to render our situation as little 
irksome as possible. We boldly avowed that it 
was both mean and unjust to exact from us any 
thing more than obedience to the existing laws. He 
knew M. de Larochejaquelein had too much sense^ 
and too much honour, to risk the shetlding of blood, 
by exciting useless tumults, and that he would ne- 
ver attempt any tising, but with a reasonable hope 
of saving his country. 



377 

In 1809? the persecution became more open and 
direct; they wished to force M. de Larotliejaque- 
lein to enter the army as adjutant- commandant^ 
with the rank of colonel. He was known to have 
made, as captain of grenadiers, five campai^ins 
against the negroes in St. Domingo. The letter of 
the minister was equally pressing and polite, and 
stating how much his brother had distinguished 
himself in arms, and was presumed he also must 
desire to follow the same career. He refused ; the 
state of his health, five children which we already 
had, were alleged in excuse, but which probably 
would not have been admitted, if not enforced by 
the zeal and kind offices of our relation, M. de 
Monbadon. 

My brother-in-law, Auguste de Larochejaque- 
leiu, was also invited to enter the service at the 
same time with M. de Talmont, M. de Castries, 
&c. He went to Paris and refused. As soon as 
they perceived he had objections to make, instead 
of listening to him, they arrested him. Still he did 
not yield, but demanded to be informed of what he 
was accused, and why he was thrown into piisun. 
At last, after more than two months, he obliged the 
minister to explain himselfjwithout disguise, who 
then plainly told him that Ire should continue a pri- 
soner until he accepted a lieutenancy. He was 
placed in a regiment of carabiuiers, in which he 
remained three years. At the battle of Moskwa, 
he was covered with wounds, taken prisoner, and 
conducted to Saratow. He was well treated there, 
and the King having had the extreme goodness to 

3B 



write in Ms behalf, milcli was done to mitigate his 
sufferings. 

Towards the end of 1811, the state of my health, 
and the desire of seeing my relations, induced me 
to visit Paris, where I had not been since 179^^ 
along with my mother. M. de Larochejaquelein 
came and joined me there. The expedition against 
Russia was then determined on. Those who, like 
us, had continued invariably attached to the House 
of Bourbon, never beheld Buonaparte undertake a 
new war without indulging a secret hope, that some 
of those chances which he braved with so much 
folly might lead to his destruction. At this timej 
above all, the gigantic and extravagant nature of 
this expedition, the distance of the armies, the na- 
ture of the country where they were about to be en- 
gaged, and the evident inutility of an enterprise 
thus conceived, gave strength to the hope that the 
tide of his prosperity was about to turn. We con- 
versed on this subject with those who partook of 
our sentiments. M. de Larochejaquelein sought 
for and saw those men who were the most distin- 
guished by their name and their constancy, and 
among others, MM. de Polignac, in spite of the 
strictness of their irapr^onment. We returned into 
Poitou, and from thence into Medoc, where we 
passed the winter of 1815. The disasters iuRus- 
sia, the destruction of the army, tlie measures it 
was necessary to take to repair these losses, the 
multiplied levies, the sacrifices of every kind which 
the Government imposed, the hateful establishment 
of the regiments of guards of honour; every thing, 



37» 

in short, seemed calculated to hurry on the catas- 
trophe^ and lead to a revolution for which it became 
necessary to be prepared. 

It was in the month of March in the same year, 
that M. Latour arrived at Bordeaux, bearing the 
orders of the King. Before speaking of his mis- 
sion, it is necessary to give an account of what had 
passed in that city since 1795. The royalist party 
had always been very numerous there, the young 
men full of zeal and enterprise, the mass of the 
people very well disposed. All the emigrants that 
were imprisoned had been set free either by address 
or force; a multitude of conscripts had tliere found 
an asylum, the Spanish prisoners had met the 
most favourable reception, and a thousand other 
circumstances had sufficiently proved what the sen- 
timents of the Bordelais were. Besides, the chief 
royalists had secretly formed themselves into arm- 
ed bands, the greater part composed of artisans 
who have never received any pay. The discretitui 
of so many people is still more remarkable thaa 
their fidelity. I will now explain the origin of this 
organisation. 

The epoch which followed the second war of 
La Vendee, that is to say 179(5^ is that in which 
the royalists had the greatest hopes, and concerted 
the most numerous enterprises. The Directory 
had then little power ; at no period of the Revolu- 
tion was greater liberty enjoyed, or less restraint 
on public opinion. The King had coraraunicatioa 
throughout almost all the provinces ; every- where 
an organisation of the royalist party, scarcely kept 



380 

secret. Commissaries named by the King, who 
was then at Verone^, were actively employed in his 
service. M. Diiponi Constant was his commissary 
at Bordeaux ; he presided over a numerous coun- 
cil. His j»rincipal agents were M. Archbold, Du- 
pouy, Cosse, Estebenet, &c. 

Some months before (after the second war of 
La Vendee,) M. Forestier and M. Ceris came to 
pass a few days at Bordeaux. They were going 
to Bareges for their health. We were not acquaint- 
ed with the last ; for, having emigrated, he only 
arrived in La Vendee in 179^^. M. de Ceris re- 
turned, on the part of M. Forestier, to inform us, 
that they had resolved to go into Spain and Eng- 
land. He asked letters of recommendation from 
my mother. She gave him several very pressing 
for the Duke d'Havre, her intimate friend, and for 
my uncle, the Duke de Lorges. She had no idea 
that these gentlemen were engaged in any enter- 
prise ; and perhaps they themselves had then no 
very distinct views on the subject. The flattering 
reception they had met with, the conversations 
they had held, the state of France, which seemed 
every day to offer more favourable chances, all 
served to redouble their zeal. 

In the month of May 1797^ they returned, bring- 
ing my mother a letter from Monsieur, in whicli 
he charged her to collect the King's party at Bor- 
deaux. She received also instructions from the 
Duke d'Havre, the Prince de la Paix, &c. She 
immediately sav/ that the extreme zeal of these 
gentlemen had led them to exaggerate every things 



3S1 

and represent the state of affairs under far too fa- 
vourable an aspect. However, she considered it 
as a sacred duty to second the views of the Princes, 
who had honoured her by their confideuee. She 
coniidcd every thing to M. Dudon, ancient procu- 
rcur general, and to his son. She conferred with 
them on what was to he done. This worthy ma- 
gistrate, in spite of his great age, was full of ener- 
gy. He immediately discovered that M. Dupont 
Constant was a commissary of the King ; and they 
formed a secret council, composed only of MM. 
Dupont, Dudon, Deynaut, and the Abbe Jaganit, 
ancient secretary of the superior council of La 
Vendee. They were of opinion that it was essen- 
tial, first of all, to enlighten the Princes as to the 
real state of France, of which they had received 
a very inaccurate and much too flattering an ac- 
count. 

M. Jagault set out for Edinburgh. He drew up, 
and presented to Monsieur, a memorial, in which 
the real state of tilings was exposed. 

The day of the 18th Fructidor soon came, and 
evinced Ihe truth of these sincere observations, 
"^riie hopes of the royalists were at once destroyed, 
and Iheir projects overthrown, by that event. 

It was not till about a year after, when the 
power of the Directory began to be shaken, when 
the Austrians and Russians had oi)tained great ad- 
vantiges in Itaiy, and every thing seemed to an- 
nounee an approaching change, that the royalists 
were roused to make more vigorous exertions. My 
mother, long before, had gained, over to the King's 



383 

party M. Papin^ a mercliant of Bordeaux. He 
had set out^ some years before, at the head of the 
volunteers, and, having greatly distinguished him- 
self in the Spanish war, had obtained the rank of 
general of brigade on the field of battle. He had 
joined the army full of zeal for the revolution ; 
but, having learned, on his return, the excesses 
that had been committed during his absence, h& 
would no longer associate with men whose crimes 
he detested, and complained to M. Deyuaut that 
they wished to place him on the list of a Jacobin 
club. 

My mother got M. Papin introduced to her. 
She heightened the horror he had already begun 
to feel for the revolution, and succeeded in over- 
coming his reluctance to join the opposite party, 
by convincing him how disgraceful it was to re- 
main faithful to so bad a cause. She presented 
him to MM. Dudon and Bupont with the confi- 
dence which he deserved. These gentlemen hav- 
ing appointed him, in the name of the King, gene- 
ral of the whole department, he immediately set 
about forming the royal guard, which has existed 
ever since.* 

At no period did success appear so near ; the 
law of hostages had kindled the third war of La 
Vendee, and renewed and extended that of the 



* M. Papin was chiefly assisted by MM. de Maillan. 
Sabes, Labarte, Gautier, LiUoiir-Olanier, Roger, Aquart, 
MarmajouF, Roilac, Dumas, Delpech, &c. 



383 

Chouaus, At Bordeaux they had come to extre= 
mities ; the Jacobins, assisted by a regiment^ open- 
ly attacked the young men of the town. 

M. Eugene de Saluces was severely wounded, 
and thrown into prison with about forty others, who 
got out in their time ; but he remained during four 
months confined, along with a brave man, a cabi- 
net maker, named Louis Hagry, a person of extra- 
ordinary zeal. This passed in the summer of 1799: 
we were then in Spain, whither my mother had got 
permission to accompany me in my second exile. 
We met at Oyarsun M. Richer-Serisy. This jour- 
nalist, after a long interview with my mother, set 
out for Madrid with M. Alexandre de Lur Saluces. 
His object was to endeavour to persuade the Court 
of Spain to take up arms for the House of Bourbon, 
and second the victorious efforts of the Austrians 
and Russians. 

The return of General Buonaparte the 18tb Bru- 
maire, and, above all, the battle of Marengo, arrest- 
ed once more the projects of the royalists. 

The MM. Dudon died, also the excellent M. 
Latour-Olanier. A great number of the royalists 
were arrested, and kept in prison eighteen months ; 
among others, MM. Dupont, Dupouy, Dumas, &c. 
M. Papin made his escape, and found means to 
clear himself through the influence of his friends, 
the Marshals Moncey and Aua;ereau. At the time 
of Pichegru's affair, he had returned to Bordeaux. 
New arrests took place there. He again escaped, 
and returned to General Moncey. They affected 
to believe him innocent^ on account of his protec- 



384^ 

tion; but scarcely had he retumed to Bordeaux, 
under a promise of not being molested, when they 
came to seize him. He concealed himself; and 
then finding that the informations against him were 
so positive^ he quitted France. He was tried hy a 
military commission, and condemned to death, [par 
contumace.) Since that time he has remained in 
America. MM. Forestier, de Ceris, du Chenier, 
&c. were also condemned, [jpar contumace.) M. 
Cxognet was executed in Bretagne, and the intrepid 
M. Duperat imprisoned for life. These events put 
a stop to all communication with the King, and the 
party sunk into silence and inactivity. 

My mother was seriously implicated in what had 
passed at Bordeaux, after the battle of Marengo. 
She narrowly escaped being put in prison and 
tried ; but she was ahly assisted, and her defence 
was the more easy, from the tranquil life she led 
in the country, never putting herself at all forward 
in boasting of the confidence of the Princes. After 
having shewn M. Dudon Monsieur's letter, she 
burnt it in his presence, and never spoke of it again. 
Our friend M. Queyriaux, the most zealous of the 
party, was almost the only one through whom she 
held any communication with the royalists. She 
was often consulted, but seldom interfered, but to 
maintain confidence and unanimity. This conduct 
arose from her character, and not from any feeling 
of fear. She never concealed her opinion, and it 
was, perhaps, owing to her frankness and simpli- 
city in that respect that she escaped. One who 
spoke so openly, and led so quiet a life, could hard» 
]y be suspected of concealment and duplicity. 



385 

In 1806, the seizure of the Princes of Spain ex- 
cited a lively indignation at Bordeaux M. Rollac 
arranged a plan with the Spanish consul, M. Pe- 
desclaux, JVl. Taffard, de St. Germain, Roger, and 
some others, to carry off Ferdinand VII. and con- 
duct him to the English station. They sent M. 
Dias, a Spanish teacher at Bordeaux, to give him 
notice of it, and he succeeded in introducing him- 
self, and speaking to him for a few moments in his 
chamber ; but it seems the Prince did not choose to 
trust a stranger, and these gentlemen waiting in 
vain for liis order, the project failed. M. Rollac, 
a little after, contrived a plot to deliver Pampelune 
to the Spaniards. He was on the point of succeed- 
ing, when he was discovered, and obliged to fly. 
His friend M. Taffard got him on board a vessel 
for England, and carrying a few lines from my mo« 
ther, to my uncle de Lorgues, was by that means 
made known to the King, and informed him of the 
devoted ness of the Bordelais, and, above all, of the 
courage and zeal of M. Taffard, to whom he owed 
his life. The communications with Bordeaux wer^ 
thus re-established, but nothing took place for se- 
veral years. The retreat from Moscow in 1813 
once more awakened hopes. M. Latour arrived 
afc Bordeaux, bringing M. Taffard a letter from his 
friend, inviting him to rally the royalist party. M. 
Latour charged him to do so on the part of the 
King : he was far from expecting this honour. A 
gentleman of small fortune, with a numerous fami- 
ly, without ambition, M. Taffard only thought, in 
serving M. Rojlac, he fulfilled the duties of friend- 

3 C 



386 

ship ; and attached as he was to the House of Bour- 
boDj he had uo idea of forming a party. But the 
orders of the King appeared to him sacred. 

M. Latour was also charged by his Majesty to 
see M. de Larochejaquelein, and tell him, that he 
reckoned on him for La Vendue. My husband 
went immediately to Bordeaux, and had the same 
evening a conference of four hours with MM. La- 
tour and TajGTard. 

M. Taffard, assisted by M. Queyrianx, Marma- 
jour, &c. once more took up the old plan of the 
royal guard, and M. Larochejaquelein set out for 
Poitou. He traversed Anjou and Touraine, along 
witli M. de la Ville de Bauge, who had always 
remained most warmly attached to him. They went 
about every-where sounding the state of opinions, 
and visiting their friends, and the old Vendeens. 
He was exceedingly sorry to find that General Du- 
fresse was no longer in the department ; lie had 
commanded tliem a long time, and had rendered 
infinite service to the Vendeens. He was the con- 
fident of all my husband's hopes, and had given 
him his promise to serve the King whenever an op- 
portunity occurred. At Tours he found all the 
young men of La Vendee who had been forced to 
enter the guard of honour. They were extremely 
dissatisfied. He did not conceal from them his 
hopes and desires, but recommended to them to 
wait with patience for the decisive moment. 

The carrying off Ferdinand VIL from Valen- 
cey was then talked of. M. Thomas de Poix, a 
gentleman of Berri, and a great friend of M. La- 



roehejaquelein, was to have conducted that enters 
prise, but he died at the moment he was about to 
act. My hus!)aiid continued his journey, passed 
a fortnight at Nantes with his friend M. Barante; 
he also saw MM. de Sesmaisons, M. de Suzannet, 
his coiishi-german, and the Prince de Laval, Avho 
had left Paris with the same views as himself. 

The young guards of honour, at Tours, did not 
conduct themselves with all the discretion that had 
been recommended to them ; they did many rash 
things ; several of them were arrested, and an»ong 
others, M. de Charrette, a brave young man, and 
worthy of the name he bore. 

M. de Larochejaquelein returned into Medoc. 
I lay in on the 30th of October ; and on the 5th of 
November M. Lynch, mayor of Bordeaux, an old 
and respectable friend of my mother, sent an ex- 
press to my husband, to inform him that they were 
just setting out to arrest him. M. Lynch himself 
was going on a deputation to Paris, but he did not 
^o till he Avas sure of the safety of M. de Laroche- 
jaquelein. My husband left me in ignorance of all 
this, and went to Bordeaux with M. Queyriaux. 
While at dinner at Casteluau he saw the gendarmes 
arrive, who had been sent to seize him. M. Ber- 
trand commanded them. He knew perfectly well 
what was intended, but as he was not the bearec 
of the order, and only charged to lend assistance 
to a commissary of police, he allowed M. de Laro- 
chejaquelein to pa«is, although he knew him per- 
fectly. The commissary of police, who was in a 
carriage, was retarded by the had roads. At break 



388 

of day, however, the chateau was surrouuded l)y 
the troops ; the servants, who knew nothing of the 
departure of their master, told them he was in the 
house. They and the peasants, who had arrived 
in crowds to attend mass, were in the deepest af- 
fliction; and, if he had been taken, would have 
fallen upon the gendarmes to deliver him. Many 
of the neighbours, whom we scarcely knew, had 
got on horseback with the same design. The search 
was long, brutal, and ridiculously minute.* 

While M. de Larochejaquelein was concealed 
jsit Bordeaux, MM. de Tauzia and de Mondenard, 
both of the municipality, watched over his safety; 
and, in the mean time, MM. de Monbadon and de 
Barante made every possible effort to get the order 
for his arrest revoked. The minister, after some 
diificulties, replied, that M. de Larochejaquelein 
had only to come to Paris, and give him the neces- 
sary explanation. I had not an entire confidence 
in these assurances, yet they were repeated so 
strongly, and the cause appearing so utterly hope- 
less, from the negotiation of the Allies with Buo- 
naparte and the daily expectation of peace, that I 
confess I sometimes was inclined to accept the pro- 
posal of going to the minister. I was certain, be 
sides, that there did not exist a single line of writ- 

*The commissary of poUce was furious in missing his 
prey. We learnt afterwards that he had sent orders to 
take M. de Larochejaquelein, dead or aUve, and to bring 
him post night and day, and at whatever hour it might 
he, to the minister. 



389 

ing that conid implicate my husband, and I dread- 
ed a long separation and fresh persecutions. For 
his part, on the contrary, he never hesitated for a 
moment. He foresaw, that, even if the minister 
should keep his word, and not put hira in prison, 
he would be harassed, either by an exile, or an im- 
perative offer of some post in the army. He de- 
termined, at all events, to preserve his liberty ; 
his thoughts were constantly turned towards the 
project of raising La Vendee, v/hen the moment 
should arrive. His eyes were always fixed on that 
quarter; his name, his perfect knowledge of the 
country, and his influence over the inhabitants, na- 
turally led him to this ; and besides, the request 
©f the King determined him irrevocably. During 
his concealment at Bordeaux, he became the mean 
of uniting several secret associations, which, till 
that time, had acted separately, though with the 
same views. The persecutions directed against 
him had marked him out as a leader of the party ; 
and all those devoted to the cause were eager to be 
connected with him. He informed M. Taflard of 
this, who, as commissary of the King, could not 
so generally make himself known.* 

In the month of December, one of the captains 
of the royal guard, M. Gigoulon, a fencing- master. 



* MM. de Gombauld, Ligier a grazier, Chabaiid a 
teacher, Badin, the Abbe Rousseau, Dupouy, &c. bad 
distinct associates. MM. Ligier and Cbabaud, zealous 
and enterprising men, had already organised cigbt com- 
panies; they had been engaged in it from 1809. 



390 

Was seized, carried to Paris, and put in irbns 5 but 
he continued resolute during fifteen interi'ogatoriesjt 
and nothing was discovered. 

Towards the beginning of January 1814, M. de 
Larocbejaquelein came and passed three days with 
me at Citran. He then traversed the Lower Me- 
doc with his friend M. Luetkens, a person remark- 
able for his calm and cool bravery, and his devot- 
ed ness to the King. They informed all those in 
whom they could confide of what bad been concert- 
ed at Bordeaux, and opened communication to 
them with the city ; but it was in vain that their 
ardour increased every day; tiie position of the 
French army between Bcnxleaux and the English 
put a stop to every attempt. 

M. de Larochejaquelein returned to live at Ci- 
tran. Our children and all our servants saw him. 
Persons of whom we knew nothing of before were 
constantly coming to converse with him, and yet 
such was their discretion, that his retreat was never 
disturbed. The police had not abandoned their 
search, but it was more anxiously continued in 
Poitou and at Nantes, on account of the friendship 
of M. de Barante. 

From the month of December, some tumults had 
taken place in La Vendee. Several conscripts re- 
fused to obey, and fought with the gendarmes. But 
the Government, fearing a civil war, and knowing 
their want of power to repress it, consented to shew 
some indulgence ; exacted much fevi^er sacrifices, 
and raised fewer levies from that part of the coun- 
try than from any other, and did not there impose 



391 

those enormous requisitions which oppressed tha 
i*est of France.* This prudent system, together 
with the presence of ahout two thousand gendarmes, 
prevented the war from breaking out during the 
winter, although there wore bands of refractory 
conscripts, who defended themselves with their 
arms in their hands; and the people could hardly 
be restrained from rising en masse. But the chiefs 
were unwilling to do any thing rash, and waited 
till the insurrection could he quite general, before 
they declared themselves. The continued prospect 
of peace paralysed the most daring. 

In the meantime, M. de Larochejaquelein con- 
stantly recurred to the danger of throwing himself 
into the midst of the brave Vendeens; but it was 
precipitating himself into certain danger. He was 
more particularly sought after there than at Bor- 
deaux. He could not venture to follow the great 
roads, when he was so well known, and the cross- 
roads that year were impassable, on account of the 
extraordinary floods. At last, with great difficulty, 
we got him to consent to delay his decision until M. 
Jagault should have made a tour into the west, to 
ascertain the position of things, and prepare for him 
the means of arriving in La Vendee. He set out 
on the 26th of January. He was first to traverse 
La Saintonge, and inform my brother-in-law, M. 
de Beaucorps, of his intentions to confer with M. 

* The insurrection of La Vendee extended to part pf 
four departments ; to eacli of these different indulgences 
were granted. 



393 

de la Ville de Bauge, and endeavour to commuai- 
cate with the ancient chiefs. He was then to go to 
Paris, and concert matters on a great and general 
plan with M. de Duras, my cousin, de Lorges, &c. ; 
and to finish by Nantes, where he was to confide 
all to M. de Barante. These were precisely the 
provinces, and the same arrangement for the insur- 
rection, that had been pointed out fifteen years be- 
fore by Monsieur, when he gave his instructions to 
M. Jagault. 

On his arrival atThouars, on the 5th February, 
he wrote, that it would be impossible, at that time, 
for M. de Larochejaquelein to penetrate into La 
Vendee, and undertake any thing of importance; 
that he was continuing his route to Paris, and that 
he lioperl, on his return, to find things in a more 
favourable state. These delays hut ill accorded 
with the impatience of my hushand. 

For some time a report had been current, that the 
Due d'Angouleme had joined the English army, 
and it was soon confirmed. M. de Larochejaque- 
lein instantly determined to go to him, to inform 
him of what was passing, and take his orders. (M. 
Armand d'Armailhac had arrived three days be- 
fore, to offer him a vessel, which was about to sail 
for St. Sebastian.) He left Cilran, to concert mat- 
ters with MM. Taffard and de Gombauld. 

On reaching Bordeaux, M. de Larochejaquelein 
begged M. de Moudenard to tell M. Lynch*, who 



M. Lynch, when at Paris, foreseeing the fall of Buo- 
naparte, found means to get into La Maisoii de Santcj 



393 

was just come from Paris, that lie was anxious to 
testify his gratitude, and open his heart to him. He 
immediately came to see him. M. de Larochejaque- 
lein told him, he believed he could not better re- 
compense the great services he had rendered him, 
than by informing him of all the secrets of the roy- 
alists, of what had been arranged at Bordeaux 
during his absence, and of his departure for St. 
Jean de Luz. M. Lynch, transported with joy, 
without hesitation said, " Assure the Due d'Angou- 
leme of my entire devotion ; tell him I shall be the 
first to cry ^ Vive le Roi/ and deliver him the 
keys of the city." 

The vessel prepared by M. d'Armailhac for the 
passage of M. de Larochejaquelein was command- 
ed by Captain Moreau, who had a license for Spain; 
but it was very difficult to get on board, for, besides 
the search that must take place before leaving the 
river, the custom-house officers were to remain un- 
til she was four leagues at sea, and return in a 
boat. 

I had just received a very encouraging letter 
from the senator, M. Boissy d'Anglas, extraordina- 
ry commissary of the twelfth division. M. de La- 



where MM. de Polignac were confined ; and, after a long 
conference, gave them his word of honour, that, if Bordeaux 
should ever declare for the King, lie should be the first to 
mount the white cockade. Tliose gentlemen recommended 
him to explain himself to MM. de Larochejaquelein and 
de Gombauld, with whom they had long maintained an 
intercourse. 

3D 



roebejaqueleia took it with hira, to prove to the 
Dnke that it was not to save himself that he came to 
him. He quitted us on the evening of the 15th Fe- 
bruary. I had only strensjth to pray God to receive 
this last sacrifice we could make to the King. 

He emharked in the night of the 17th along with 
M. Francois Queyriaux, who insisted on sharing 
all his dangers, * in the Chaloupe of Taudin, a 
coasting pilot of Royan. They lay in the tilley 
without being ahle to change their postore, for for- 
ty-two hours ; they managed to escape the Regu- 
lus, a guard vessel, which searched the smallest 
boat that went out. A dreadful gale arose, and 
threatened the utmost danger to their hark ; the 
vessel of Captain Moreau lost her anchor, and they 
thought at one time he would be ol>liged to return 
to Bordeaux, but he found another at Royan. 
During this time Taudin's chaloupe was at anchor 
in the midst of all the boats of the port, and the 
two fugitives were every moment in danger of be- 
ing discovered. Captain Moreau put to sea; some 
pretext was necessary to enahle them to follow 
him. Taudin thought of crying out to his son, with 
a loud voice, so that all those on the quay might 
hear, asking him if he had delivered Moreau the 
bread as he had ordered him. The son answers, 
No ; the father in a rage scolds him for his ne- 
glect ; his anger prevented all mistrust. He goes 
for the hread to his house at Royan, and at the 
same moment confides his secret to the pilot, who 
was going to bring hack the Douaniers. They then 
agreed that they would board the ship at the same 



395 

timcj he on one side, aud Taudin on the other ; 
and while the douaniers came down into the boat, 
M. de Larochejaquelein and M. Qiieyriaux slip- 
ped on board the ship on the other side. Their pas- 
sage was rapid ; in twenty-two hours they were at 
the entrance of the harbour of Passage. A violent 
gale had come on ; several vessels perished a fev/ 
hours after within sight of land ; however, Moreaii 
succeeded in getting in. M. de Larochejaqueleia 
found Lord Dalhousie at Renteria, and they en- 
trusted him with the object of their voyage. He re- 
ceived them with the greatest attention^ made them 
the most obliging oiFers, and even pressed them to 
accept of money. M. de Larochejaquelein only 
begged to be conducted to the Due d'Angouleme, 
Avho was at St. Jean de Luz. Lord Dalhousie had 
no horses, but he ordered two soldiers to conduct 
them, who marched with them the whole night. 
They went immediately to the Prince ; he had on- 
ly arrived about a fortnight before, under the name 
of the Count de Pradelles, accompanied by Count 
Etienne de Damas. Lord Wellington had already 
paid him his respects fkommages. J The mayor of 
St. Jean de Luz, and the inhabitants of some small 
neighbouring parishes, were the only Frenchmen 
that had yet made known to him their sentiments 
and wishes. As soon as he learned the plans at Bor- 
deaux, the situation of La Vendee, and the general 
stale of opinions, his heart once more opened to 
hope, and he declared that nothing should agaia 
induce him to quit the soil of that France where he 
still found so many faithful subjects, and that he 



396 

would rather perish among them than ever quit 
them more. He informed these gentlemen that 
Monsieur was in Switzerland, and the Due de Ber- 
ri at the island of Jersey, endeavouring, like him- 
self, to penetrate into France. 

The Due de Guiehe was ordered to conduct the 
travellers to the head quarters of Lord Welling- 
ton, then at Garitz. That illustrious general re- 
ceived them very well. He had, from the first, 
shewn himself very favourably inclined to the cause 
of the House of Bourbon. But when England 
and the Allies consented, or seemed at least still 
willing to consent to treat with Buonaparte, Lord 
Wellington could no longer lend his assistance to 
any decided step in favour of the Princes. Be- 
sides, he had fallen into the common error of fo- 
reigners, and did not believe the people of France 
so favourably inclined to their cause as they really 
were. He had before him the French army, com- 
manded by an able general, and this was the main, 
object to which his views must of course be direct- 
ed. Such were the objections which M. de La- 
rochejaquelein had to overcome ; and, although 
urged with all possible respect for the Princes, 
and even with regret, they were not the less strong 
nor reasonable. M. de Larochejaquelein first re- 
quired that Bordeaux should be occupied, pro- 
mising that the city would declare for the King ; 
then, that a powerful division might be effected in 
favour of Bordeaux, he requested one or two ves- 
sels, with only a few hundred men, to land in the 
night on the coast of Poitou, to escort him a hw 



397 

leagues into the country, and leave him there, and 
immediately retire and re-embark, which would 
attract the atfentidn of the troops, and enable him 
to pursue his route. Lord Wellington told him 
p(»«iitively, that he could dispose of no troops for 
an expedition which his Government had not au- 
tharised. M. de Larochejaquelein was then 
obliged for the present, to renounce his project of 
penetrating into La Vendee; the coast being every 
where guarded with the most scrupulous exactness 
by the douaniers. 

Lord Wellingt(jn determined to march forward. 
M. de Larochejaquelein had the honour of follow- 
ing him the next, as far as the passage of Gave 
d'Oleron. He then returned to the Duke. He 
arrived at the same time with MM. Okely and de 
Beausset, deputies from Thoulouse, who came to 
oflEer him the services of that city ; — he heard at 
the same moment of the battle of Orlhez. He im- 
mediately set out for headquarters. M. de Laro- 
chejaquelein foll(»wed, and M. Qneyriaux went oa 
to Bordeaux, to acquaint the council*- with the 
success of their journey, and to carry the Prince's 
proclamation. He made his way through the 
midst of conscripts, and the people which the bat= 
tie of Ortliez had put to fligltt. 

The duke sent the Count de Damas to sound 
the disposition of t!ie city of Pau ; lie ran a thoi? 

* The royal council was composed of MM. Taffard, 
Lynch, de Gombauld, dc Biidos, Alexandre «!e Liir Sa 
luces, dePommicrs, Queyi-iiiux alne, iin;! Luetkens. 



S98 

sand risks in liis journey, and obtained no satis- 
faction. 

M. Bontemps dii Barri had set out in the morn- 
ing, sent by Vl. Taffard, to inform Lord Welling- 
ton that the city was without defence, and that 
they ardently wished for the presence of the Due 
de Angouleme. — This information decided Lord 
Wellington ; he ordered Marshal Beresford with 
three divisions to advance upon Bordeaux. M. 
Bontemps instantly returned to give an account of 
his mission; he encountered many dangers between 
St. Sever and Bordeaux, and only extricated him- 
self by his extreme courage and presence of mind. 

The English army marched the next morning, 
and M. de Larochejaquelein, who was with the 
advanced guard, went to receive the last orders of 
liis Hoyal Highness, who told him, that Lord Wel- 
lington, whom he had just quitted, was still per- 
suaded that Bordeaux would not dare to declare 
itself. M. de Larochejaquelein then assured him, 
that Bordeaux would undoubtedly make the 
movement, and that he would answer for it with 
his head ; and only asked permission to precede 
the English thirty-six hours. " You are then 
very sure of it ?'' " As sure as I can be of any 
human event.'' The Prinfe then replied with 
warmth, '^ Gro on then, I confide in you !" 

M. de Larochejaquelein continued with the light 
troops till they reached Langon ; he then went to 
the house of M. Alex, de Salnces, at Preignac, 
from thence M. de Valens acted as bis guide to the 
city. Through detachments of the French troops 



399 

and gendarmes, he arrived at Bordeaux at ten 
o'clock in tiie evening of the lOth of March. He 
learned that the council had just sent to beg Mar- 
shal Beresford to delay his movement, that they 
might have more time to prepare the minds of the 
people, and to concert measures for uniting the roy- 
alists of the neighbourhood with those of the city. 
M. de Larochejaquelein warmly opposed this de- 
lay, and urged the danger of giving time for reflec- 
tion to the weak and timid, assuring them, that the 
sudden bent of the royalists would be instantly fol- 
lowed by a spontaneous movement throughout the 
city. They adopted his opinion, and MM. Luet- 
kens, Francois Queyriaux, Valens, d'Estienne, 
and de Canolle, were successively sent to meet the 
Prince and the English, and entreat them to hasten 
their march. 

During this time all the superior authorities quit- 
ted the city. 

At last, on the ISth, at eight in the morning, all 
was prepared for the reception of the Due d'An- 
gouleme; they assembled at the Hotel de Ville. 
The English hussars had already begun to enter 
the city. Some inconvenience was apprehended 
from their thus appearing, before the inhabitants 
were fully acquainted with what was about to fol- 
low. M. de Larochejaquelein mounted hastily on 
horseback, with M. de Pontac, and went to meet 
Marshal Beresford, to beg he would call back the 
hussars, that the royalists' movement might be made 
before the arrival of the English. The Marshal 
agreed to it, and he remained with him. M. de 



Puysegur stayed at the Hotel de Ville, to proclaim 
the King there, at the same moment it was done at 
the outside of the gates. The royal guards were 
ordered out on the road with their arms concealed. 
The chiefs openly followed the cavalcade of th6 
municipality. M. Lynch was in a carriage; he 
quitted it when out of the city, and said to the Mar* 
shal, that if he entered the city as a conqueror, he 
should allow him to take the keys, having no means 
to defend them, but that if he came in the name of 
the King of France, and his ally the King of Eng- 
land, he should deliver them to him with joy. The 
Marshal answered, *^ That his orders were to oc- 
<;iipy and protect the city, and that he might act as 
he thought proper." M. Lynch immediately criedj 
*' Vive le Roi P^* and mounted the white cockade. 
The whole royal guard did the same. At the 
same moment the white flag appeared floating from 
the steeple of St. Michael, where it had been de- 
posited the evening before. The news was quickly 
spread among the royalists, and those who, from 
curiosity, had followed M. Lynch, that the Due 
d' Angoulfeme would arrive in the course of the day. 
Then the cries of Vive le Roi ! became universal ; 
every one put white paper on his hat, and ran 



* It ought not to be forgotten, that the evening before, 
the people of the little town of Bazas cried out Vi-vt leRoi, 
without knowing whether Bordeaux would do the samej 
and tliat as soon as the Prince appeared and indeed in 
spite of him, for his goodness made him fear the royalists 
might be compromised by partial movement. 



401 

through the street announcing the unexpected in- 
telligence. When, about an hour after, the Due 
de Gruiche announced the Due d'Angouleme, joy 
and surprise animated every heart; all danger was 
forgotten. The whole city flocked round MM. 
Lynch, Taffard, &c. ; — almost every one fell oa 
their knees, and the common people cried out, 
"He is of our own blood !" They were eager to 
touch his clothes, or his horse ; he was carried 
along by the crowd to the Cathedral, where the 
Archbishop was waiting for him. He was for some 
time separated from his suite, and nearly suffocated 
b}' the pressure. I had not the satisfaction of en- 
joying that spectacle ; 1 had remained in the coun- 
try. It happened to be the very day (the IStli jof 
March) on which the war of La Vendee had broke 
out, twenty-one years before, and I was so deeply 
moved by the recollections of that period, that I 
was quite overcome, and continued in a kind of 
stupor for above tiiirty hours. 

M. de Larochejaquelein asked permission of the 
Duke to raise a corps of cavalry. It was impossi- 
ble for the Prince to obtain funds for the pay of 
Iroops, the country had been so ruined and drained 
by repeated recpiisitions, and the public chests all 
carrit'd off. This cavalry was then necessarily 
£ompj)sed of volunteers equipped at their own ex- 
pense. MM. Hoger, Francois de Gorabauld, and 
de la Marthonie, also obtained leave to raise com-' 
])auie3 ; but M. de Larociicjaquelein, always look- 
ing upon himself as destined to fight in La Vendee^ 
'.voukl only accept the command provisionally. 



40S 

One of the first objects of tlie English was to get 
possession of the mouth of the river, and establish 
(?«mmunicatioii with both banks, to secure them- 
selves from the attack of a pretty numerous flotilla 
which had been hastily fitted out, and continually 
menaced M doc and even Bordeaux. A courier 
was despatched for St. Jean de Luz, wiih orders to 
the English squadron ; but it was thought these 
orders might arrive sooner by sending tbem from 
the little port of La Teste. Lord Dalhousie en- 
trusted his despatches to MM. Eugene de Sahices, 
Failles, and Moreau. La Teste had been occu- 
pied on the ISth of March by a post of infantry, 
and three hundred chosen men of the national 
guards. MM. de Mauleon and de Mallet de Ho- 
quefort, who commanded them last, made them 
take the white cockade. They found some resist- 
ance from the inhabitants and the troops of the line; 
they ran the greatest risks, and their firmness alone 
saved them. They brought with tlicm to Bordeaux 
a great part of the national guards, and of the de- 
tachment of infantry ; the rest had gnneti join tlie, 
French troops that were at Blaye. However, M. 
de Saluces and his companions found tliey could 
not embark at La Teste as they had expected. The 
mayor and some of the inhabitants opposed their 
departure, and tliey were obliged to return to Bor- 
deaux. His Royal Highness then ordered M. de 
Larocbejaquelein to proceed to La Teste with two 
hundred and fifty English, a party of tijc national 
guards under M. de M;illet, and some volunteers. 
The inhabitants were at first much alarmed, butae 



403 

tliey knew M. de Larochejaqueleia, wlio was 
chargotl by the Prince to treat them with kindness 
and indulgence, every thing passed amicably. The 
three most mutinous Were merely put in prison for 
a few days. My husband remained a week there, 
occupying bimself in extending the authority of 
the King along the coast, dissipating the prejudices 
of the inhaliitants, and collecting powder and bat- 
tering cannon to send to Bordeaux. 

A few days after, Lord Dalhousie set out to at- 
tack St. Andre de Cubzae and Blaye. He pro- 
posed to M. de Laroehejaquelein to go with him, 
on account of his knowledge of the people and the 
country, and in the hope that he might be able to 
establish some communication with the interior, and 
especially with La Vendee. His company of vo- 
lunteers wished to follow him, but Lord Dalhousie 
would not permit them. They encountered the 
French troops at Etauliers ; they were inferior in 
number, and were repulsed. 

My husband took advantage of the passing of 
the river to send back M. de Menard, a gentleman 
from the neighbourhood of Lucon, who had come 
through a thousand dangers, to take the orders of 
the Prince for La Vendee. He was arrested at 
Saintes, but saved by General Rivaux, who was a 
royalist at heart. He arrived in La Vendee, and 
instantly began to arrange the insurrection ; but 
the news from Paris rendered his efforts unneces- 
sary. 

Some hours after the combat at Etauliers, M. 
Bascher arrived, whom my husband had seen 



40-4 

among the guards of liooonr. He liail deserted at 
Troies, and hid himself in the house of a relation 
near Nantes, where he had met M. de Suzannet, 
who sent him to M. de Larochejacjuelein. He 
came to announce that all was ready in the west, 
where the ardour of the peasants daily increased, 
and that the tocsin would be sounded the week 
after Easter. Our ancient army was anxious to 
have M. de Larochejaquelein to command them. 
They wanted fifteen thousand muskets, and above 
all powder, of which they had absolutely none. 
No troops were wanted to land those articles, as 
the country would be up in arms before they ar- 
rived. 

M. Bascher had run great risks in this mission ; 
he had been pursued, and only escaped through 
the disorder of the French troops. My husband 
immediately sent him to the Prince. 

Lord Dalhousie returned to Bordeaux, to prepare 
for the attack on the citadel of Blaye. Admiral 
Penrose having forced the passage of the river, had 
already begun the bombardment from that side. 
M. Delue, the mayor of the town, had on the 13tii 
March sent to his Royal Highness, to assure him 
of his attachment ; and had made efforts, but in 
^ain, to induce the garrison to surrender. 

In the meantime, they were not without uneasi- 
ness at Bordeaux. A strong French division was 
advancing by Perigueux ; the English were not 
numerous, and at that time they did not know that 
the Marquis of Buckingliam, as soon as the insur- 
rection at Bordeaux was known, had obtained per- 



405 ^ 

mission to embark with 5000 English militia to de- ^ 
fend tljat city. But a contrary wind prevented 
them from entering the Gironde ; and although th» 
ardour of the royalists daily augmented, there had 
not been time to form a sufficient number of French 
corps. The Prince became more and more belov- 
ed. He went every day to visit the military posts^ 
accompanied only by two or three persons, always 
going slowly through the streets in the midst of a 
crowd, who, cliarmed with his goodness and confi- 
dence in them, never ceased shouting, **Vivele 
Roi! Vive le Due d' Angoulerae !'' They were 
electrified by the idea, that he exposed himself to 
so many dangers for his love to France. There 
was not one but would have given his life for him. 
Count Etienne deDamas set a noble example. He 
will be ever dear to the people of Bordeaux, for 
his aftability and the indefatigable zeal with which 
he laboured night and day in the service of the 
Prince. Every one felt encouraged by the pros- 
pect of the insurrection in the west, which was on 
the point of breaking out. Lord Dalhousie, who 
shewed equal skill and attachment to the Prince, 
consented to every thing that could facilitate that 
movement. 

The 13th of April was the day fixed for the de- 
parture of M. de Larochejaquelein ; his company 
of volunteers were to follow him. He obtained the 
powder and arms that were wanted. A messenger 
was sent to Jersey to the Due de Berri, who was 
impatient to throw himself into La Vendee. 



406 

We were in the midst of these agitations of hope 
and fear, when;, on the IGth ot April, (Easter,) at 
four o'clock, a courier arrived, bringing the intelli- 
gence that the King had been acknowledged at 
Paris, and that all was over. It is impossible to 
describe the general intoxication of joy ;— the whole 
city were in a state of enthusiasm. The Due d' An- 
gouleme bestowed the most flattering recompense 
on M. de Larochejaquelein,* by confiding to him 
his despatches for Monsieur at Paris, and request- 
ing him to go and receive the orders of the King. 
He arrived at Calais a few minutes before his Ma- 
jesty. When the Due de Duras named him, the 
King said, " It is to him I owe the movement of 
my good city of Bordeaux.'^ He held out his 
hand to M. de Larochejaquelein, who threw him- 
self at his feet. 



* M. de Larochejaquelein was killed in June last (1815), 
a few dajs before thfe Battle of Waterloo, at the head of 
the new Vendeen army raised to oppose Buonaparte. 



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